Objective Advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma remains associated with approximately 50% mortality at 5 years. Delivery of multimodality treatment remains critical to maximizing survival for this disease, but achieving this at a national level remains a difficult undertaking, particularly in under- and uninsured patients as well as minority patients. We sought to evaluate laryngeal cancer treatment delivery and clinical outcomes in a predominantly minority and underserved cohort of largely under- and uninsured patients in a county hospital. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary care county hospital in Houston, Texas. Subjects and Methods Patients (N = 210) with a new diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated between 2005 and 2015 were included in a retrospective analysis of patient demographics, tumor and treatment characteristics, and oncologic outcomes. Results The majority of patients presented with advanced disease (T4 = 43%, N>0 = 45%). Treatment selection was compliant with National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines in 81% of cases, but 76% of patients who required adjuvant radiotherapy were unable to start it within 6 weeks postsurgery. Overall survival and disease-free survival were 52% and 63% for the entire cohort, respectively. Supraglottic subsite and nodal metastases were significantly associated with decreased overall survival and disease-free survival. Race/ethnicity and insurance status were not associated with worse oncologic outcomes. Conclusion Under- and uninsured patients often present with advanced laryngeal cancer. Oncologic outcomes in this cohort of patients is similar to that of other published series. Moreover, tumor characteristics rather than demographic variables drive oncologic outcomes for the predominantly minority and underserved patients seeking care in our tertiary care county hospital.

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Objectives Multiple population studies have shown racial discrepancies in head and neck cancer treatment and outcomes. We sought to characterize the impact of race on clinical outcomes for patients with early glottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a tertiary institution which provides equivalent access to care. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all early glottic (T1–T2) squamous cell carcinoma at a single institution, the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans’ Administration Medical Center (MEDVAMC). Data collected included demographic information, primary and adjuvant treatment modalities, time to diagnosis, time to treatment, recurrences, recurrence treatment modality, secondary malignancies, recurrence‐free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS). Results One hundred seventeen patients with a primary diagnosis of T1–T2 glottic squamous cell carcinoma were included. Black and white patients demonstrated equivalent rates of recurrence, RFS, and OS. There was no significant difference in treatment delivery by race for all recorded parameters. T1b tumors were associated with an increased risk of recurrence which did not translate into a statistically significant decrease in RFS or OS. Surgical treatment was associated with increased recurrence but similar RFS and OS compared to radiation‐based treatment. Secondary malignancies were common; 12% of patients were diagnosed with a second primary lung cancer during the study period. Conclusion At our institution, race did not impact survival when access to care, treatment selection, and delivery are equivalent for early glottic SCC. Secondary lung cancer is a critical risk factor for mortality in this patient group and requires long‐term surveillance and monitoring. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 130:1733–1739, 2020

We report a photocathode device consisting of GaP, a metal oxide (Al2O3 or ZnO), a phosphonate-C12-thiol monolayer, and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The AuNPs enhance electron transfer: in non-aqueous electrochemistry (EtV(2+) in MeCN), p-GaP|Al2O3|O3PC12S|AuNP and …ZnO|…|AuNP rescued the photocurrent (24%, 59% of Jmax-etch). Aqueous experiments (CO2 saturated KCl) using the optimized ZnO-functionalized device exhibited H(+) → H2 (FY = 66%) and CO2 → CO (FY = 6%).