The analyzed variables were the anatomical location of the tumor, staging, gender and age of patients, the district of origin, the alcohol and tobacco consumption, educational level, occupation, marital status and family structure. Results:The 566 patients studied (498 men and 68 women) presented a mean age of 58.1 ± 12.2 years. The majority (80.5%) were referenced in advanced stage of disease (III and IV). Seventy eight per cent of patients had moderate or excessive alcohol consumption and 69% were smokers. The vast majority of patients (82.3%) had only basic education. Patients with tumors of the hypopharynx and excessive drinking habits were referenced in more advanced stages and had a poorer survival (p < 0.001). Married patients were referred at earlier stages (p = 0.020) and patients without family support had poorer survival (p = 0.030). Discussion: Epidemiological data are in agreement with the international literature. The high rate of patients referred with advanced stage of disease can be attributed to the patient´s delay in seeking medical care or by factors inherent to the referral system. Surveillance and family support play a key role in early referral and survival of these patients. Conclusion:This study features a population profile that can benefit from a higher degree of surveillance, awareness campaigns and/ or screenings. Some of the variables can significantly influence the tumor stage and survival.

Objectives:The biologic behavior of the adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and the factors predicting outcome for these tumors are still poorly understood. Our objective is to analyze the predicting factors and the value of different treatment possibilities, since none sole treatment has been standardized. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the epidemiologic, clinical and histologic aspects of ACC, as well as treatment options and other prognostic factors of all the cases of ACC of the head and neck treated at this Institution were analyzed. From 1974 until 2011, 152 patients were diagnosed with ACC and treated at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology (Porto Centre). Main outcome measures: overall survival, local recurrence and distant metastasis were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Factors predictive of outcome were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 55.8 years (range, 19 -83 years). Incidence was higher in the female population, with a female to male ratio of 1.7:1 respectively. The primary tumor location was hard palate and submandibular region in 56 cases, 28 in each location (24.6%), parotid gland (17 cases, 14.9%) and oral cavity excluding palate (16 cases, 14%).Distributions according to T stage were: T1 (29.8%); T2 (30.7%); T3 (17.5%); T4 (22%). The overall 1-year, 5-year and 10-year survival for all patients were 94.6%, 60.5%, 41.6%, respectively. Conclusions: Univariate survival analysis revealed that age older than 60 years (p = 0.002), solid histologic subtype (p = 0.042), advanced clinical stage (p < 0.001) and the presence of perineural invasion (p = 0.036) were correlated with a poor survival. Multivariate analysis confirmed that age and advanced clinical stage were worst independent predicators of overall survival as well as perineural invasion for local recurrence and distant metastasis. In our analysis, radiotherapy did not have a relevant impact on survival, except in cases of solid histologic subtype. To analyze distant metastatic capacity, long term follow-up was necessary, since distant metastasis way occurs even after 10 years, which has the case with 4 patients.

Introduction: Total laryngectomy/pharingo-laryngectomy is a potentially aggressive surgery for advanced laryngeal/hypopharyngeal carcinomas, which results in important physical and functional changes that compromise some of the most vital functions, including speech communication. For these patients, tracheoesophageal speech is considered to be the gold standard for voice rehabilitation. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to determinate the success rate of voice prosthesis rehabilitation, voice prosthesis lifetime and the rate of complications, and its related clinicopathologic factors. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of 92 patients who undergone tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) performed between January 2007 and December 2012 at the Francisco Gentil Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Oporto. Age, primary disease, staging, the extent of surgical resection, radiotherapy treatment, timing of TEP, surgical and prosthesis-related complications were noted. The impact of these clinicpathological factors on functional outcome, complications of TEP and lifetime of prosthetic valves was assessed in univariate analysis. Vocal rehabilitation efficacy with voice prosthesis was assessed with the multidimensional Harrison-Robillard Shultz (HRS) Rating Scale. Lifetime of voice prosthesis and early and late complications were recorded. Results: A total of 83 patients met the study criteria, predominantly males (94%) with a mean age of 63.7 years. 77% of the patients underwent primary and 23% secondary TEP. 68.7% of patients achieved functional tracheoesophageal speech (HRS score ≥ 10) , 67.2% had performed primary TEP and 73.7% had performed secondary TEP. The mean device lifetime was 9.8 months for voice prosthesis. Prosthesis-related complications occurred in 81% of the patients and the most common issues were prosthesis leakage (76%) and displacement (22%). The most common surgical-related problem was a large and deep tracheostoma. Conclusions: Our success rate of voice rehabilitation was comparable to that reported in published literature with a satisfactory median device lifetime. Because of its safety and simplicity, tracheoe-sophageal puncture is considered to be an effective method for voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy.

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