BACKGROUND: Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy (TE) by the vestibular access is an advanced technique in modern domestic oncology as it enables to have a perfect cosmetic results without any asymmetry caused by the scar strain on the visualized surface of the neck skin. CLINICAL CASE DESCRIPTION: The article presents the first Russian experience, obtained in the research and clinical institution specializing in oncological diseases, in the application of transoral endoscopic TE by the vestibular access in children suffering of differentiated thyroid cancer. 9 children with thyroid cancer (TC), who were hospitalized to the A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center from July 5, 2022, till December 20, 2022, were taken in the study. Tumor stage was estimated by the International Classification TMN TC (UICC, 8th ed., 2017): cT1a — 6 patients, cT1b — 3 patients. The age ranged from 6 to 17 y.o., average 15.2±1.1 (5 boys, 4 girls). All patients survived endoscopic surgery on the thyroid gland (TG) by the vestibular access: 6 patients — hemithyroidectomy (HTE) and 3 patients — TE, selective cervical lymphadenectomy (level VI). All nine endoscopic surgeries on the thyroid gland by the vestibular access were successful, without conversion. In all patients, paratracheal, pretracheal and prelaryngeal groups of lymph nodes on the lesion side (level VI) were removed. Surgery duration ranged from 59 to 143 minutes, average 95±20.5 minutes. No complications, such as laryngeal nerve paresis or hypoparathyroidism, were observed. Intradermal hematoma and chin skin paresthesia were registered as local postoperative complications which did not require any treatment. All patients were satisfied with their cosmetic outcomes. CONCLUSION: Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy by the vestibular access is a safe and feasible alternative surgical intervention for neoplasms in the carefully selected infants so as to avoid scar formations on the frontal neck surface. Transoral endoscopic interventions in the thyroid gland and regional lymphatic regions by the vestibular access should be performed only in highly specialized oncological centers equipped with modern endoscopic devices.

Introduction. Multikinase inhibitors are used to treat nonresectable locally advanced and/or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). However they are characterized by high toxicity associated with kinase inhibition. Selective RET inhibitor selpercatinib demonstrates high selectivity and tolerance which makes it a promising agent for MTC treatment.Aim. To evaluate selpercatinib effectiveness and tolerance in patients with metastatic MTC associated with a mutation in the RET gene.Materials and methods. The study included 9 patients with metastatic MTC and mutation in the RET gene who received treatment with selpercatinib 160 mg 2 times a day. The drug effectiveness was evaluated every 2–3 months based on the results of multispiral computed tomography of the whole body and tumor marker (calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen) levels.Results. Median duration of therapy was 29 months overall response rate was 78 %; complete response was observed in 56 % of patients. After 12 months of therapy progression-free survival was 100 %; after 24 months it was 89 %. Persistent decrease in calcitonin level (by more than 90 %) was achieved in all patients. The most common adverse events were arterial hypertension and insignificant creatinine increase.Conclusion. The results of therapy show significant improvement in the rate of objective response and progression[1]free survival which makes selpercatinib a preferential treatment choice in this category of patients.

Photodynamic therapy is an effective method for treating superficial forms of malignant neoplasms, characterized by a minimal risk of damage to normal tissues. In this study, we presented our experience of treating cancer of the oral mucosa using photodynamic therapy, and analyzed the immediate and long-term results of treatment. 38 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity mucosa, with a depth of invasion no more than 7 mm, were included in the study. All patients underwent photodynamic therapy with chlorine e6 based photosensitizer. Photosensitizers were administered intravenously 3 hours before irradiation, at a dosage of 1 mg/kg of the patient’s weight. Photodynamic therapy was performed with the following parameters: P – 1.0 W, Ps – 0.31 W/cm2, E – 300 J/cm2. The area of one irradiation field ranged 1.0-2.0 cm2. Treatment effect was evaluated by RECIST 1.1. Overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and disease-free survival were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Evaluation of adverse events was made by .TCAE 5.0 criteria. At 35 (92.1%) out of 38 cases, complete regression was observed after photodynamic therapy. Among them in 3 out of 35 patients relapse was diagnosed in 11.5 to 43.2 months. The total number of patients who didn’t respond to treatment was 6 (15.8%). Follow-up period was 4.2-87.3 months. (mean 42.9). 34 (89.5%) out of 38 patients are alive, 1 (2.6%) died from progression, and three died from other causes. The 5-year overall survival rate was 82.1%, cancer-specific survival rate was 97.0%, and disease-free survival rate was 81.1%. Among the factors significantly (p < 0.05) influencing relapse-free survival: depth of invasion < 5 mm (p – 0.013) and the presence of leukoplakia (p – 0.007). When assessing cancer-specific survival, factors worsening the prognosis were: age >70 years (p – 0.034) and the presence of leukoplakia (p – 0.007). Photodynamic therapy is an alternative treatment method of oral cancer superficial lesions, in case of proper assessment of primary lesion and in case of possibility of full irradiation of the tumor. Moreover, after using photodynamic therapy, the underlying connective-muscular structures are preserved, which promotes rapid healing with minimal scarring, the functions of the affected organ remain intact, and cosmetic defects do not form.

Introduction. Head and neck cancer is the 7th most common malignancy worldwide; squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa are almost a third of tumors of that localization. Metastatic lesions of the neck lymph nodes are an unfavorable prognostic factor for malignant tumors of that location since it is associated with a 50 % decrease in overall survival. In this regard, the detection of metastases to the neck lymph nodes is an important component of high-quality oncological care for patients with that pathology.Aim. To evaluate the efficiency of sentinel lymph node biopsy in squamous cell carcinoma of cavity of mouth mucosa cT1–2N0М0.Materials and methods. 72 patients were included in trial at the age from 21 to 74 (mean 57.3) with confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of cavity of mouth mucosa cT1–2N0М0. No evidence of regional metastasis, by preoperative examination, including ultrasound, computed tomography with intravenous contrast was observed. All patients received radioisotope research to determine localization of sentinel lymph nodes, and then biopsy of that nodes was performed. Before obtaining information about the status of the sentinel lymph node, radical neck dissection was not performed. Pathology report with immunohistochemical investigation was performed by pathologist of A. F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center – branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Center, Ministry of Health of Russia.Results. When assessing efficiency of sentinel lymph node method, true positives results (detection of metastasis in sentinel lymph node) were achieved in 3 (4.17 %) out of 72 cases. Follow up time was from 1 to 69 months. Among those cases, where metastasis in sentinel lymph nodes were not detected, relapse in regional lymph nodes was developed in 3 (4.35 %) out of 69 cases. Radical neck dissection was performed in cases with metastasis in sentinel lymph nodes. The specificity of method was 95 %, the predictive value of a negative result was 0.04.Conclusion. Sentinel lymph neck node biopsy is an effective method of subclinical locoregional metastases detection in cancer of oral mucosa cT1–2N0M0. In our study of sentinel lymph neck node biopsy, oncological outcomes were comparable to radical neck dissection, with fewer postoperative complications.

The purpose of the research was to identify ultrasound criteria of extranodal extension (ENE) in metastases of papillary thyroid cancer and to evaluate the clinical significance of ENE.Material and Methods. Ultrasound signs of ENE in 283 cervical lymph node metastases from papillary thyroid cancer were analyzed. Extranodal extension in 137 metastases was diagnosed by ultrasound and verified by histological examination. Micrometastases invisible on ultrasound were detected in 144 patients; metastases located inside the organ were detected in 147 patients; metastases located outside the organ were revealed in 136 patients; the size of 98 metastases was less than 1 cm; the size of 185 metastases was more than 1 cm; the age of 51 patients was under 55 years; 132 patients were older than 55 years. Diagnostic significance of ENE and its clinical significance were estimated according to χ2 Pirson criteria.Results: Two ultrasound criteria: shape change and blurred margins of metastases indicated the presence of ENE. The small number of ultrasound false-negative findings indicated the need for further research. The number of micrometastases not detected by ultrasound was 2-fold higher in patients who had metastases with ENE than in patients who had metastases without ENE. The number of patients with ENE in metastases inside the organ (T1a, T1b, T2 and T3b) was 2.7 times lower compared to patients with metastases developed outside the organ (T3a, T4a, T4b); ENE was observed in metastases of different size and did not depend on age groups.Conclusion. The ultrasound method allows intravital detection of ENE in metastases of papillary thyroid cancer. The extension is accompanied by a significantly high number of micrometastases in the neck tissue. It is detected more often in metastases located outside the organ, regardless of the size and age of the patients. The extra-nodal extension should be considered as a criterion for an unfavorable prognosis.

Introduction. Poorly differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid gland (PDTC) is characterised by aggressive, high rate of tumor growth, massive infiltration, early lymphogenous and hematogenous dissemination. Ways to improve treatment outcomes include developing individual treatment programmes. Given the unsatisfactory results of the treatment, the search for combined treatment options is well founded.Materials and methods. An analysis was made of the treatment of PDTC in patients from May 2014 to July 2021. The study included 24 patients aged 22 to 81 years (9 (37.5 %) men and 15 (62.5 %) women). Surgical treatment was performed in 14 (58.3 %) cases. In 8 (33.3 %) cases, a course of radioiodine therapy with a total dose of 3–4 Gbq was performed in the postoperative period. Seven (29.2 %) patients underwent external beam radiation therapy. In 2 (8.3 %) cases, chemotherapy with carboplatin was performed simultaneously with external beam radiation therapy. Four (16.7 %) patients were prescribed lenvatinib. For one reason or another, 9 (37.5 %) patients did not receive treatment.Results. For patients not treated, the overall survival rate was 5.8 ± 0.5 months, for patients treated – 9.6 ± 1.0 months (p <0.00095). According to the index Lenvatinib showed a significant increase in the general group of patients – up to 15 months.Conclusion. Combined treatment in the form of a combination of surgical, radiation and chemotherapeutic methods at PDTC, allows to achieve much higher survival. In order to achieve longer-term stabilization, further research is needed on new ways to enhance the anti-tumor effect of modern drugs.

Background . medullary thyroid carcinoma (mtc) produces serum markers including calcitonin (ct) and carcinoembryonic antigen (cea). The measurement of ct in fine-needle aspirate washout fluid (FNA-CT) improves the cytological diagnosis of mtc. However, no data are available about cut-off values for FNA-CT using currently immunoassay. The measurement of cea in the needle washout fluid (FNa-cea) in mtc has not been studied. Objective: to assess the diagnostic value and propose cut-off values for FNA-CT and FNacea in the thyroid nodule to diagnose mtc. Material and Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 164 samples of fine-needle aspirate washout fluid collected from 92 patients with thyroid nodules, who underwent FNa followed by cytological examination and measurement of FNA-CT. seventeen cases with mtc and 41 with non-mtc nodules were histologically verified. one hundred and six nodules identified as non-mtc by cytology were not operated on. FNa-cea was additionally studied in 29 samples. The cut-off value was determined by Roc analysis. Results. The FNA-CT level was >2000 pg/ml in all mtc nodules, except for one, in which the FNA-CT level was 638 pg/ml. In non-mtc nodules, the FNA-CT levels were <10 pg/ml and <100 pg/ml in 81 % and 90 %, respectively, however, it was >500 pg/ml in 5 %, and >1000 pg/ml in 2 %. At a cut-off value of 590 pg/ml, the sensitivity and specificity of FNA-CT were 100 % and 96 %, and at a cut-off of 1721 pg/ml, the corresponding values were 94 % and 99 %. The false positive FNA-CT values were 3.7 % and 1.2 % at the cut-off values of 590 pg/ml and 1721 pg/ml, respectively. The median levels of FNa-cea in mtc and non-mtc nodules were 59.3 ng/ml and 1.5 ng/ml, respectively. At a cut-off value of 7.5 ng/ml, the sensitivity of FNa-cea was 86 % and specificity was 100 %. Additional measurement of FNa-cea prevented all false-positive results of FNA-CT, but did not detect 2 mtcs with low FNa-cea levels (false-negative rate of 6.9 %). Among samples with FNA-CT value of >590 pg/ml and negative cytology (n=9), FNa-cea differentiated mtc with 100 % sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion . The maximum sensitivity of FNA-CT in the thyroid nodule was at a cut-off value of 590 pg/ml (100 %), the maximum specificity was at a cut-off value of 1721 pg/ml (99 %). Risk of false positive result is the major challenge of FNA-CT. to reduce false-positive results, we recommend to measure FNa-cea in the nodules with negative cytology and high level of FNA-CT. At a cut-off value of 7.5 ng/ml, FNa-cea allows the false-positive FNA-CT to be excluded.

The article presents a draft of clinical recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer in adult patients, which provides a modern examination algorithm, discusses the basic principles of laboratory, instrumental diagnostics and treatment approaches.

Introduction. Laryngopharyngeal cancer accounts for about half of the total number of malignant neoplasms of ENT organs. Despite the availability of examination, in most patients tumors of this localization are detected at late stages, and the long-term results of treatment of locally advanced cancer of the larynx remain unsatisfactory. Clinical case. This article presents two clinical cases of combined organ-preserving treatment of laryngopharyngeal cancer with spread to the cervical esophagus. At the first stage, patients underwent organ-preserving surgical treatment with a reconstructive plastic component according to the methodology developed at the A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center – branch of the National Medical Research Center of Radiology. Then a postoperative course of chemoradiotherapy was carried out. Conclusion. The use of combined organ-preserving techniques using displaced skin-muscle flaps in the treatment of locally advanced laryngopharyngeal cancer involving the cervical esophagus allows in some cases to avoid crippling surgery, preserve the larynx and achieve satisfactory functional results, which significantly improves the quality of life of patients.

Introduction . Measurement of thyroglobulin (Tg) in a washout after fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is recommended for the diagnosis of metastases of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), but the method is not standardized and there is no recommended threshold value of Tg washout, which makes it difficult to interpret the results. Aim . To analyze Tg in the washout after FNA of lesions of different origin on the neck and to determine its optimal cutoff for the diagnosis of DTC metastases. Materials and methods . Ultrasound-guided FNA was performed in 1258 neck masses from 591 patients, 566 of them with confirmed DTC. In 1023 lesions, FNA was performed after thyroidectomy, 22 – after lobectomy, 213 – with preserved thyroid gland. The needle after FNA was washed in 1 ml of saline, in which the concentration of Tg was then examined. The level of Tg in the washout was compared with the histological (n = 522) or cytological diagnosis if no surgery was performed. The cut-off for Tg washout was determined by ROC analysis. Results . DTC lymph node metastases detected in 577 specimens. Nine specimens were obtained from metastases of thyroid cancer (TC) that does not express Tg (anaplastic TC, poorly differentiated TC, columnar-cell variant DTC), 22 – from neck metastases of other malignancy (lung cancer, mucinous soft tissues tumor, ovarian cancer, esophageal cancer, melanoma, neuroendocrine tumor), 6 – from other tumors of the neck (lymphoma, parathyroid adenoma, neurinoma). In 26 cases, the specimen was regarded as normal thyroid tissue left after thyroidectomy, 37 – postoperative seroma or granuloma, 1 – cyst of the neck, 578 – lymph node hyperplasia, 2 – sarcoidosis. The level of Tg washout from DTC metastasis and thyroid remnant significantly differed from that of non-thyroidal origin (p <0.0001). At the cut-off of 7.8 ng/ml, the sensitivity and specificity of Tg washout in the diagnosis of DTC metastases is 94 and 95 %, and at the cut-off of 20 ng/ml, 90 and 98 %, respectively. False-negative results were obtained from DTC with squamous metaplasia or sparse tumor cells in a specimen. False-positive results were obtained more often from lesions of level VI and IV compared with other localizations (8 % versus 4 %; p = 0.04). There were no differences in false positive rate in patients before and after thyroidectomy (p = 0.17), but in patients after thyroidectomy with a serum Tg >200 ng/ml, the false positive rate of Tg washout was significantly higher than that with a lower level of serum Tg (28 % versus 3 %; p = 0.0004). When comparing diagnostic performance of cytology and Tg washout, the advantage of the latter is in the diagnosis of cystic metastases, and the former is in the diagnosis of micrometastases and tumors that do not express Tg. Thyroglobulin in the washout increased the sensitivity of the cytology by 8 %. The combined use of these methods detected DTC metastases in 100 % of patients. Conclusion . Measurement of Tg in the washout is a useful addition to the cytology, increasing the diagnostic performance of the latter, mainly due to better detection of cystic metastases of DTC. The optimal suggested cut-off for Tg washout is 20 ng/mL, at which there are fewer false positives.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy is a routinely used technique to determine the nature of thyroid and parathyroid nodules. The complications and side effects associated with this procedure are minimal. At the same time, the histological alterations resulting from its use are well documented. Their range is quite w, however, from a clinical point of view, the most striking and catastrophic in their consequences are extensive heart attacks and necrosis. Such changes more often than in formations of a different morphological nature occur in tumors from oxyphilic cells. It should be noted that a lot of works devoted to post-biopsy changes are naturally focused on the morphological aspects of this problem, or are presented in the form of a presentation of individual clinical observations. This report presents the observation of necrosis in the parathyroid adenoma, which developed before fine needle aspiration biopsy.

We report the experience of radical treatment by photodynamic therapy of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity with serious side diseases. Completed treatment of two patients with serious side diseases (HIV infection with associated pulmonary hypertension of high degree and cardiac pathology) suffered from cancer of oral cavity. Extensive surgical treatment and/or aggressive course of chemoradiation therapy were not indicated to them due to concomitant pathology. Both patients were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity, with appropriate stage Ist. сT1N0M0. Patients received treatment by photodynamic therapy with chorine photosensitizer in dose 1 mg/kg. Options of photodynamic were: output power – 1.5W, power density – 0.31 W/cm2, light dose – 300 J/cm2. After one time session of photodynamic therapy, in both cases full response was diagnosed (according to RECIST 1.1). In one case the second session of photodynamic therapy was performed due to concomitant disease of oral cavity – multiply lesions of leukoplakia and after was diagnosed full remission of all lesions. Major adverse event was pain during the first 5-7 days after treatment, curable by painkillers. Follow-up (IQR) was 12 and 18 month respectively with no evidence of progression. It is available to avoid extensive surgical treatment and aggressive course of chemoradiation therapy (as an alternative) with the use of photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic therapy is minimally invasive method of radical treatment of localized squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity with minimal adverse events, and could be especially relevant in patients with serious concomitant diseases.

Проведен анализ лечения анапластического рака щитовидной железы (АРЩЖ) у больных за период с мая 2014 по июль 2021 гг. В исследование включены 24 пациента в возрасте от 22 до 81 года, мужчин было 9 (37,5 %), женщин - 15 (62,5 %). Хирургическое лечение проведено 14 (58,3 %) пациентам. В 8 (33,3 %) случаях в послеоперационном периоде был проведен курс радиойодтерапии суммарной дозой (СД) 3 - 4 Гбк. У 7 (29,2 %) больных проводилась дистанционная лучевая терапия (ДЛТ). В 2 (8,3 %) случаях одновременно с проведением ДЛТ выполнялась химиотерапия (ХТ) карбоплатином. 4 (16,7 %) больным был назначен ленвантиниб. Лечение не получили по тем или иным причинам девять (37,5 %) пациентов. Для пациентов, не получивших лечение общая выживаемость (ОВ) составила 5,8 ± 0,5 мес. Для пациентов, получивших лечение, ОВ составила 9,6 ± 1,0 мес. Р < 0,00095.

Despite recent advances in radiation therapy, osteoradionecrosis remains a common and severe complication of radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer. Modern methods of treatment are developed with regard to the disease severity and pathophysiology complexity, as well as theories of the osteoradionecrosis development. The following theories of osteoradionecrosis pathophysiology are currently considered: "radiation-induced osteomyelitis", "hypoxic, hypocellular, hypovascular" and "fibroatrophic". Prior to radiation therapy, the patient is provided with restorative dental treatment and radiation therapy planning. Treatments range from conservative «watch and wait» to more radical surgical interventions. Currently, there is no approved standard for the care of osteoradionecrosis patients, however, the activity in this direction is underway. Currently state-of-the-art treatment strategies are available with limited evidence. The review aims to assess the literature on osteoradionecrosis of the jaw with an emphasis on available treatment options.

According to GLOBOCAN 2020 Statistics based on estimates for 36 cancers incidence and mortality in 185 countries produced by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2020, the total number of cancer cases increased by 19.3 million new cases and the number of cancer deaths increased by 10 million new cancer deaths. According to statistics, 1 of 5 people develops cancer during their life, and one of 8 men and one of 11 women die from the disease. The cancer burden to 2040 is expected to increase by 28.4 million cases. The dynamics of incidence and mortality from malignant neoplasms in the Russia is registered by the P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute (MORI), branch of the National Medical Research Radiolog-ical Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. The data received in 2019 and 2010 were compared. The increase in cancer incidence over 10 years was 24%. However, thyroid cancer incidence surpasses other cancers incidence by 58%. The following main risk factors for potential regional induction of thyroid cancer are: the environmental situation in regions of Russia, the effects of the Chernobyl accident, and health effects of population exposed to radiation, approved with modern medical equipment. Based on epidemiological studies, it has been numerically proven that the above listed main risk factors are responsible for the significant increase in thyroid cancer incidence in Russia.

Introduction. The results of the calcitonin (Ctn) study in patients with thyroid nodules are included in the clinical guidelines for the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer. However, the management of patients with moderately elevated Ctn up to 100 pg/mL is not clearly defined.Materials and methods. The study included 103 patients with thyroid nodules and a Ctn level above the reference, but not more than 100 pg/ml. The Ctn concentration was determined using the Cobas e platform (Roche, Germany) or by the immunoradiometric method (Izotop, Hungary). 45 patients were operated on. The analysis of the incidence of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), other thyroid and nonthyroid pathology in patients with elevated Ctn scan was carried out. The results of additional examination are presented: the serum cancer embryonic antigen, Ctn in wash-out, stimulated Ctn, gene RET mutation testing.The study objective is to evaluate the probability MTC with Ctn level <100 pg/ml, propose management tactics for patients with elevated Ctn and negative cytological results.Results. The incidence of MTC was 22 % (23/103). The maximum probability of mTC was at Ctn above 50 pg/mL (81 %, 13/16), at Ctn 31-50 pg/mL mTC was detected in 38 % (3/8). With Ctn <30 pg/mL and <20 pg/mL, the incidence of MTC was 9 % (7/79) and 6 % (4/64), respectively. In the majority of MTC patients (65 %), the tumor size did not exceed 1 cm. However, 22 % (5/23) had metastases to the neck lymph nodes. postoperative Ctn normalization was achieved in 96 % (22/23). In 26 % (5/19), a RET germ-line mutation was detected, most often p.val804met.Among patients without MTC, other thyroid tumors were found in 35 % (28/80), more often papillary thyroid cancer (25 %, 20/80). 13 % (10/80) had other malignant neoplasms. parathyroid adenoma was detected in 3 % (2/80). The maximum Ctn in this group was in patients with chronic kidney disease and metastatic liver disease with cholestasis and ascites.Cancer embryonic antigen was increased in 53 % of patients with MTC and in 7 % of patients without MTC. Ctn in washout was >2000 pg/mL in mTC and up to 938 pg/mL in patients with histologically confirmed absence of MTC.Conclusion. If the Ctn level is <100 pg/mL and there is no cytological confirmation, the issue of surgery is decided individually, taking into account many factors. After excluding other causes of hypercalcitoninemia (hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease, other tumors), measurement of serum cancer embryonic antigen and Ctn in wash-out is recommended. In some cases, testing for a RET mutation can be helpful.

Purpose of the study. To assess ultrasound features and patterns of features for metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in soft tissues of the neck.Materials and methods. The study included 335 histologically confirmed metastases and 102 benign lymph nodes (LN). Statistical processing was carried out in the SPSS program. The reliability between the groups was assessed by criterion t with a significance level of p < 0.05. The informative value of ultrasound signs and patterns of signs, and the probability of the presence of metastasis using binary logistic regression are calculated.Results. The 14 criteria for metastasis have been studied. There are 33 signs, i.e. types of criteria. During the statistical analysis, six most informative criteria were established: calcifications, contours, shape, depth-to-width ratio in the transverse scanning plane, state (differentiation) of the cortical and cerebral layers, echostructure. To create complexes (patterns) of ultrasonic signs, a combination of these signs was used among themselves, and five patterns were established. The first pattern, including the depth-to-width ratio in the transverse scanning plane and the echo structure, has a sensitivity (Se) of 97 %, diagnostic accuracy (Ac) of 96.5 %, area under the curve (AUC) of 96 %, the probability ranges from 95 to 99 %. The Se of the second pattern, including the ratio of depth to width in the transverse scanning plane, echostructure and shape, was 97.2 %, Ac – 96.8 %, AUC – 97.3 %, probability – 95–100 %. The third pattern, including the ratio of depth to width in the transverse scanning plane, nature, shape and contours, and the fourth pattern, including the following criteria, the ratio of depth to width in the transverse scanning plane, echostructure, shape, contours and differentiation into cortical and cerebral layers, have Se 96.9 %, Ac – 97.1 %, AUC – 98.7 %, probability – 88–100 %. The fifth pattern, including the ratio of depth to width in the transverse scanning plane, echostructure, shape; contours; state (differentiation) of the cortical and cerebral layers; calcinates, has Se – 99.6 %, Ac – 99.5 %, AUC – 99.9 %, probability – 94–100 %.Conclusion. Five patterns of metastatic involvement of lymph nodes in PTC were found. The informative value of US increased from the first to the fifth pattern achieving a Se of 99.6 %, Ac of 99.5 %, AUC of 99.9 %. The probability ranged from 94 % to 100 %.

Introduction. Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is the most common oral cancer. The tumor microenvironment has a significant impact on tumor progression; therefore, better understanding of its characteristics is crucial for the treatment strategy, since in some cases it modifies the tumor microenvironment resulting in tumor resistance to therapy.Study objective – to compare the number of CD8+Т-lymphocytes, CD57+NK-cells, and CD20+B-lymphocytes in the microenvironment of tongue squamous cell carcinoma in patients receiving and not receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.Materials and methods. We performed immunohistochemical examination of specimens from 67 patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma who did not receive neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Eleven patients were diagnosed with well differentiated tumors (G1); 21 patients had moderately differentiated tumors (G2); and 35 patients had poorly differentiated tumors (G3). T1 tumors were observed in 11 individuals, T2 tumors – in 26 individuals, T3 tumors – in 26 individuals, and T4 tumors – in 4 individuals. We also examined 30 patients who had undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, including external beam radiotherapy (total dose of 60 Gy) and a cycle of polychemotherapy (cisplatin and 5‑fluorouracil). Of them, 6 patients had T1 tumors, 17 patients – T2 tumors, 5 patients – T3 tumors, and 2 patients – T4 tumors. We measured the areas occupied by CD8+T-lymphocytes, CD20+B-lymphocytes, and CD57+NK-cells in the hot spots in the tumor microenvironment.Results. The number of CD8+T-lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment was higher in patients after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy than in those who did not receive it (р = 0.000), whereas the number of CD20+B-lymphocytes was lower after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The area occupied by CD57+NK-cells in the hot spots of the tumor microenvironment did not differ significantly before and after therapy (p >0.05).Conclusion. Thus, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma caused an increase in the number of CD8+T-lymphocytes, a decrease in the number of CD20+B-lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment, and had no effect on the population of CD57+NK-cells.

Purpose: To study the dynamics of frequency of tumor cells with polysomy 7 and 11 chromosomes in patients with oral cancer during fractionated gamma-radiotherapy. Material and methods: The study was carried out using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on smears of 19 patients with oral cancer before treatment, after first total focal dose of gamma-radiotherapy (up to 18 Gy) and after second total focal dose (up to 32 Gy). As for control oral smears of 12 healthy donors were taken. Molecular cytogenetic abnormalities were examined in taken samples. Results: The average group frequency of cell with polysomy 7 and 11 chromosomes in controls was 0.7 ± 0.2 % and 0.3 ± 0.1 % respectively. The average frequency of cells with chromosome 7 polysomy in group oral cancer patients before treatment was 32.3 ± 4.5 %, after first focal dose was 15.7 ± 2.9 % and after second focal dose was 8.0 ± 2.3 %. Dynamics analysis of these values revealed the significant decreasing (р < 0.05) in cells with chromosome 7 polysomy during radiotherapy. The average group frequency of cells with polysomy 11 in cancer patients before treatment was 25.8 ± 5.6 %, 12.2 ± 2.4 % and 5.4 ± 0.9 % after first and second focal dose respectively. These values was significantly (р < 0.01) higher compare with the one in the control group. After radiotherapy the 16 (84 %) patients with polysomy chromosomes 7 and/or 11 had significant decreasing (р < 0.05) in aberrant levels. Some of them (6 persons – 32 %) had decreasing frequency up to the control levels. 4 persons (21 %) observed firstly the increasing of cells with polysomy but after there was the reduction. 5 patients (26 %) over full course of gamma-radiotherapy demonstrated the gain in frequency of cells with polysomy or the same value as it was before treatment. Conclusion: Thus, the study of molecular cytogenetic abnormalities in cells of oral cancer patients before and after radiotherapy was shown the polysomy of chromosomes being the marker of genome instability could indicate the tumor response ongoing therapy.