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Background: Soft tissue deposits of squamous cell carcinoma in the necks of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract may represent either total effacement of a lymph node by carcinoma or extralymphatic deposits of carcinoma. There are few reports of their clinical or prognostic significance.Methods: Data from 215 neck dissections from 155 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract were studied prospectively to assess the prevalence of soft tissue deposits within the neck. The case notes of these patients were subsequently reviewed to analyze the effect on both the overall survival and recurrence-free survival. Results:The prevalence rate for soft tissue deposits occurring alone was 10.3%; the prevalence rate for soft tissue deposits occurring with extracapsular spread was 13.5%. The overall prevalence rate for soft tissue deposits was 23.9%. There was a statistically significant reduction in actuarial and recurrence-free survival in patients with soft tissue deposits compared with patients with pathologically node-negative necks (P=.001), and in patients with soft tissue deposits compared with those with pathologically node-positive necks without extracapsular spread (P=.001). No statistically significant differences were found between patients with soft tissue deposits and patients with pathologically node-positive necks with extracapsular spread, for actuarial survival or recurrence-free survival.Conclusions: In this series, soft tissue deposits were associated with an aggressive clinical course and poor survival. It is therefore important that histopathologists agree on a uniform terminology when reporting soft tissue deposits and actively look for their presence when examining neck dissection specimens.

Purpose The main aim of this paper is to present baseline demographic and clinical characteristics and HRQOL in the two groups of the Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) trial. The baseline PCI data will also be described. Methods This is a pragmatic cluster preference randomised control trial with 15 consultant clusters from two sites either ‘using' (n = 8) or ‘not using’ (n = 7) the PCI at a clinic for all of their trial patients. The PCI is a 56-item prompt list that helps patients raise concerns that otherwise might be missed. Eligibility was head and neck cancer patients treated with curative intent (all sites, stage of disease, treatments). Results From 511 patients first identified as eligible when screening for the multi-disciplinary tumour board meetings, 288 attended a first routine outpatient baseline study clinic after completion of their treatment, median (IQR) of 103 (71–162) days. At baseline, the two trial groups were similar in demographic and clinical characteristics as well as in HRQOL measures apart from differences in tumour location, tumour staging and mode of treatment. These exceptions were cluster (consultant) related to Maxillofacial and ENT consultants seeing different types of cases. Consultation times were similar, with PCI group times taking about 1 min longer on average (95% CL for the difference between means was from − 0.7 to + 2.2 min). Conclusion Using the PCI in routine post-treatment head and neck cancer clinics do not elongate consultations. Recruitment has finished but 12-month follow-up is still ongoing.

Purpose The patient concerns inventory (PCI) is a prompt list allowing head and neck cancer (HNC) patients to discuss issues that otherwise might be overlooked. This trial evaluated the effectiveness of using the PCI at routine outpatient clinics for one year after treatment on health-related QOL (HRQOL). Methods A pragmatic cluster preference randomised control trial with 15 consultants, 8 ‘using’ and 7 ‘not using’ the PCI intervention. Patients treated with curative intent (all sites, disease stages, treatments) were eligible. Results Consultants saw a median (inter-quartile range) 16 (13–26) patients, with 140 PCI and 148 control patients. Of the pre-specified outcomes, the 12-month results for the mean University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOLv4) social-emotional subscale score suggested a small clinical effect of intervention of 4.6 units (95% CI 0.2, 9.0), p = 0.04 after full adjustment for pre-stated case-mix. Results for UW-QOLv4 overall quality of life being less than good at 12 months (primary outcome) also favoured the PCI with a risk ratio of 0.83 (95% CI 0.66, 1.06) and absolute risk 4.8% (− 2.9%, 12.9%) but without achieving statistical significance. Other non-a-priori analyses, including all 12 UWQOL domains and at consultant level also suggested better HRQOL with PCI. Consultation times were unaffected and the number of items selected decreased over time. Conclusion This novel trial supports the integration of the PCI approach into routine consultations as a simple low-cost means of benefiting HNC patients. It adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the use of patient prompt lists more generally.

Our relatively small number of patients confirms other centres' experiences. This cancer has a poorer prognosis than most other head and neck cancers. Although the logistics would be challenging, there is a need for international multicentre trials for this disease modelled on those performed for other cancers, as has been done for paediatric malignancies.

Total laryngectomy is performed for patients with advanced malignancy of the larynx and pharynx, and disconnects the nose and mouth from the lower respiratory tract. Rehabilitation of olfactory function in these patients is often neglected, despite recognition that anosmia and hyposmia are common and can readily be addressed. This paper reviews the literature concerning olfactory loss post-laryngectomy, methods of olfactory rehabilitation, assessment of olfactory function and quality of life issues.

INTRODUCTION Improving patient pathways of care is becoming increasingly important in the delivery of timely, appropriate surgical care. With this aim, we analysed the referral and management pathway of patients undergoing diagnostic superficial lymph node biopsy.PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective review of case notes of patients undergoing diagnostic superficial lymph node biopsy over 3 years, 1998-2000 at the Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust. Indication for surgical biopsy was based on clinical suspicion following assessment in the out-patient clinic for the majority, and arrangement of investigations as deemed appropriate. There were no clinical algorithms in use during the study period.RESULTS There was no evidence for the use of explicit protocols for referral or management. Biopsy was often delayed. Of 268 patients referred from primary care, referral was made to any of 14 hospital departments with 39% (105 of 268) attending more than one outpatient appointment, and 155 (41 of 268) attending more than one department. Eighteen percent (47 of 268) of patients were informed of their diagnosis within 6 weeks of referral and 42% (113 of 268) within 3 months of referral. Nine percent (24 of 268) underwent pre-operative fine needle aspiration cytology. Of patients with enlarged neck nodes, 29% (52/180) had examination of the upper aero-digestive tract.CONCLUSIONS The study supports the introduction of co-ordinated problem-based referral and management pathways for the management of patients with enlarged superficial lymph nodes supported by regular audits of practice.

The method of pathological assessment of neck dissection specimens and reporting on the presence of ECS and STD has not been formalized. By analysing neck dissection specimens in the manner described we can report on the presence or absence of ECS and STD with increased accuracy. This has considerable implications for patient management.