ICHNO-ECHNO 2022 - Abstract Book

S112

ICHNO-ECHNO 2022

Napoca, Romania, Department of Pneumology, Cluj Napoca, Romania; 5 University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu" Cluj Napoca, Romania, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Implantology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Purpose or Objective Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers and the incidence is still increasing. The diagnosis of the skin cancer relies on clinical inspection, palpation, dermoscopy followed by incisional or excisional biopsy. With dermoscopy, it is possible to assess the extension of the lesion in the longitudinal and horizontal axes but not to determine its depth and the potential invasion of adjacent structures. Ultrasound (US) examination can provide additional information such as the thickness of the tumour, the depth of invasion, the vascularity and the stiffness. It is easily accepted by the patient as it is a non invasive and non-irradiating imaging technique. Materials and Methods 30 patients with head and neck non-melanoma skin cancer were evaluated in the department of maxillofacial surgery, Cluj Napoca, Romania. The protocol included preoperatively US with high frequency transducers, surgical excision of NMSC and postoperatively US of the tumor. Size, thickness, vascular signal, elasticity and surgical resection margins were evaluated. All data were compared with the pathology report. Results NMSC is hypoechoic, inhomogenous on grayscale US examination. tumor thickness can be measured from the epidermal surface to the deepest infiltration point. BCC can be differentiated from other cutaneous tumors by the presence of hyperechoic spots which have a cotton flower–like appearance. Colour and power Doppler US may be helpful in identifying the blood flow patterns. The skin cancer appears usually well vascularised with mixed pattern, with internal and peripheral vascularization. The elastography can also be useful to differentiate infiltrative BCC from the non-infiltrative type. Cutaneous layers exhibit different elastic properties, with the epidermis and dermis being less elastic (lower strain) and subcutaneous tissue being more elastic (higher strain). The presence of increased marginal stiffness can be highly suggestive for malignancy. US can also detect surgical margin involvement and therefore may play a role in the treatment of skin cancer and prevention of local recurrence and thus, provide improved overall success and survival rates. Conclusion The development of new technologies in US, including high-frequency transducers can be considered reliable tools in the management of non-melanoma skin cancer of the head and neck region. It can offer valuable information regarding the size of the tumour including tumor thickness, the extent of the tumour, histological subtypes of the lesions which are helpful for the treatment plan. It also may be efficient in the detection of positive margins after surgery and it could play a role in the treatment of skin cancer, prevention of local recurrences and overall control of the disease. 1 Aarhus University Hospital, Dept. of Eksperimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus, Denmark; 2 Aalborg University Hospital, Dept. of Oncology, Aalborg, Denmark; 3 Aarhus University Hospital, Dept. of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus, Denmark Purpose or Objective The routine use of cetuximab monotherapy as palliative treatment of recurrent or metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (rmHNSCC) is restricted to only two head and neck cancer centres in Denmark and predominantly as last- line treatment, when options for chemotherapy or immunotherapy are exhausted. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of cetuximab monotherapy administered outside clinical trials. Materials and Methods Patients who initiated weekly cetuximab monotherapy outside clinical trials at the two centres in the period June 1 2010 to December 31 2020 were included in the analysis. Loading-dose was 400mg/m ² and subsequent doses were given with 250mg/m ² . All patients who received at least one cetuximab infusion were included and analysed in an intention-to-treat approach. Patients were treated until unacceptable toxicity, progression of disease or death, whichever occurred first. Patients were identified using the DAHANCA database and the local treatment registries at the hospitals. Missing data was identified using the patient charts. Descriptive statistics and the Kaplan-Meier method was used for analysing the data in SPSS version 28. Results In total 79 patients received weekly cetuximab monotherapy as intended last-line treatment in the study-period. 77% were males and median age at start of cetuximab was 63 years (range 46-81years). The majority of patients (67%) were WHO PS 0-1; 33% were WHO PS 2. Half of the patients had previously received two lines of systemic palliative therapy. Patients received median eight infusions of cetuximab (range 1-90 infusions). Response rate (RR) was 28% but only one patient obtained complete response. Progression-free survival (PFS) was median 3.2 months [95% CI: 1.7-4.6] and median overall survival (OS) 7.6 months [95% CI: 5.2-9.9]. One-year survival was 15%. No significant associations between WHO PS, degree of folliculitis and PFS/OS were found. In total 25% of the patients stopped treatment due to deteriorated health or side- effects. Poster: Management of elderly or frail patients PO-0178 Cetuximab as last-line treatment for rmHNSCC outside clinical trials. A retrospective DAHANCA study J.G. Eriksen 1 , S. Lunden Jensen 2 , K. Bjerg Andersen 1 , A. Qasim Ali Mohamed 3 , K. Nowicka-Matus 2