Head and Neck Malignant Paragangliomas: Experience from a Single Institution

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Head and Neck Malignant Paragangliomas: Experience from a Single Institution Via ear nose throat Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Oct 15:1455613211052338. doi: 10.1177/01455613211052338. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Objectives: To summarize the clinicopathological and genetic features of malignant paragangliomas in head and neck cancer and to explore the appropriate treatment options for this rare lesion. Methods: Six patients harboring head and neck malignant paraganglioma from Beijing Tongren Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The clinicopathological char acteristics, gene mutations, and prognosis of these patients were analyzed. Results: Of these 6 patients, 3 were male and 3 were female; 4 patients harbored malignant carotid body tumors, and two had malignant vagal paragangliomas. Three patients had cervical lymph node metastasis, two presented with lung and bone metastasis, and 1 had lung and liver metastasis. Of the 6 patients, four underwent surgical resection, and the other two patients denied surgery and instead received chemotherapy with paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and dacarbazine. These 2 patients with vagal paraganglioma received postoperative radiotherapy. All 6 patients are still alive at the present time, with a median follow-up time of 66 months. Positive Ki-67 expression in tumor tissue ranged from 1% to 40%. Genetic mutations in SDHD, SDHB, ATR, and MAP3K13 were identified in 4 patients. Conclusions: After comprehensive treatment, head and neck malignant paraganglioma can attain a favorable prognosis. Geneti c mutations are commonly detected in patients with malignant paragangliomas. This study also identified mutations in ATR and MAP3K13 in these patients. PMID:34654328 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211052338 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.