In the treatment of many unresolved issues, indicating the need for research aimed at finding more effective treatment approaches. The aim of the study is to analyze the results of combined treatment of patients with widespread forms of cancer of the cervical esophagus and hypopharynx with the application of surgical treatment in the amount of pharyngolaryngitis with single-step plastic of the defect. A retrospective analysis of results of combined treatment of 28 patients with a verified diagnosis of cancer of the cervical esophagus and hypopharynx. Combined treatment of patients with cancer of the cervical esophagus and hypopharynx included the following treatments: induction chemoradiotherapy according to the scheme cisplatin/5-fluorouracil, external beam radiation therapy 65 Gy, brachytherapy (7 Gy 1 time per week, 3 sessions), surgical treatment with one-stage plastic of the esophagus. In 7 patients (25 %) was achieved complete regression on the background of induction chemotherapy, 21 patients (75 %) received the treatment in full. Postoperative mortality rate was of 9.52 %, post-operative complications such as anastomosis dehiscence – 19 %.

Data on 573 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma registered for treatment in N.N.  Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center in 1980–2010 was used for the analysis. The study revealed high rate of late-stage diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (82.9 %), low cancer suspicion, poor diagnostics in general practice (73.2 %). Active screening for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is virtually absent in Russia. According to the study results, combined radiotherapy is an optimal method for nasopharyngeal cancer treatment; chemoradiotherapy with platinum drugs, doxorubicin, bleomycin combined with hyperfractionated radiotherapy is preferable for treatment of locally advanced and reginal tumors.

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a highly aggressive malignant tumor. The incidence of CM is 1–4 % of all cancers and 3–5 % of all malignant neoplasms of the skin. According to different authors, CM is localized in the area of head and neck (H&N) in 22–46 %. Despite revolutionary discoveries in recent years in the treatment of metastatic melanoma, the main treatment option of primary СМ is still surgery. However, the question about the size of surgical margins and tissue sparing excision is still pending, particularly in the area of the head and neck. Despite the possibilities of modern methods of revealing of metastases in lymph nodes (LN),  diagnosis of “latent” metastases in LN and further tactics of treatment remains the matter of argument. The purpose of this publication is to review the literature on the current problem in the surgical treatment of СМ of the H&N.

This article is the result of analysis of publication devoted to surgical treatment and diagnosis of СМ metastases in the LN of the H&N.

This article is based on the work results of a specialized oncoophtalmology center. The data on frequency, structure and disease course characteristics of recurrent malignant tumors of the eyelid among 1657 patients during 14-year follow up is presented; the relationship between relapse frequency and treatment is established. Basal cell carcinoma was found to prevail in the relapse cases. We observed a decrease in frequency of recurrence during the study period, which can be explained by implementation of surgical and combined treatment of the disease.

The effectiveness of traditional chemotherapy (with temozolomide, fotemustine, lomustine) alone or in combination with whole brain radiotherapy in melanoma patients with cerebral metastases does not exceed 7–10  % with no significant impact on survival, which is around 2–4  months. Targeted therapy helped to improve survival of patients with disseminated melanoma and BRAF V600 mutations. The use of targeted drugs in patients with brain metastases allows to control the tumor process and to succeed in treatment of cerebral metastases. According to currently available research data and our own results, the effectiveness of targeted therapy with vemurafenib in melanoma patients positive for BRAF V600 mutations with brain metastases reaches 18.0–44.5  % with median survival of 5.3–8.0  months. Evidences suggest that the use of vemurafenib in melanoma patients with brain metastases ensure effective disease control in most of the cases and has a significant advantage comparing to conventional chemotherapy and whole brain radiotherapy. According to the results of these studies vemurafenib can be recommended as a 1st line targeted drug for treatment of melanoma patients with BRAF V600 mutations and brain metastases. Despite the existence of blood-brain barrier and efflux systems, new targeted drugs showed promising results in treatment of brain metastases. Over the last few years we have enhanced our understanding of brain metastasis mechanisms, principles of blood-brain barrier functioning, and  ways  of  cancer  drugs penetration into  the  central  nervous system.  Targeted  therapy  is  constantly developing and  will play an increasing role in treatment of melanoma cerebral metastases in the future with finding of new targets.

Head and neck tumors (HNT)  include cancers of nasal cavity, oral cavity, larynx, pharynx, cervical esophagus, paranasal sinuses, and salivary glands; in most of the cases HNT are presented by squamous cell carcinoma. Despite the fact that tumors of head and neck are generally available for visual inspection, about 60–70 % of the patients are diagnosed with it at advanced (III or IV) stages of the disease. Unfortunately, optimization of diagnostic algorithms and wide implementation of instrumental diagnostics (ultrasound examination, computed tomography, fiber endoscopy) do not improve the situation. Current trends in HNT  incidence and mortality in Russia (increasing of both absolute and relative figures of incidence and mortality over the last 10–12 years) clearly demonstrate its social importance. Available epidemiological data suggests the obvious need for fundamental studies devoted to HNT pathogenesis as well as for development of novel meth ods of pathogenetic therapy. Along with the importance of investigation of typical for HNT genetic abnormalities, we should also stress studying of epigenetic regulation disorders in tumor cells because of its particular practical value.

This review is aimed to analyze the relationship between different mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of gene expression, and to evaluate this relationship in squamous cell HNT.  In terms of new therapy methods development it is important to understand the complex nature of epigenetic control of gene expression as soon as it allows to create and implement optimal methods of chemotherapy. For instance, the antitumor effect of butyric acid could be theoretically modified or enhanced by the inhibitors of miR-17-92a or miR-31 mimics. In this case one of the drugs can be administrated locally, and the other one – systemically, this possibility can help to reach maximum therapeutic effect in the tumor tissue. The main aim of this review was to present mechanisms, development prospects and application possibilities of HNT epigenetic therapy, which can be soon offered to clinicians.

Background. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) accounts for 80 % of all well-differentiated thyroid cancers. Mutation of the BRAF gene (V600E) is one of the most common prognostic factors for PTC. Various studies showed different degree of correlation between BRAF (V600E) mutation and other prognostic factors.

Materials and methods. 60 patients with PTC treated in P.A. Herzen Moscow Oncology Research Institute during 2014–2016 were included in this prospective study. Selection of patients was based on the results of fine-needle aspiration biopsy and polymerase chain reaction. Study participants were randomized into 2 groups: the first one included 45 patients harboring BRAF V600E mutation, the second one included 15 patients who lack this mutation. The following prognostic factors were evaluated in postoperative period: histological subtype of PTC, tumor invasion into the capsule of thyroid gland, multicentricity, presence of metastases in regional lymph nodes and distant metastases, TNM stage. Statistical data analysis was carried out using GraphPad Prism software.

Results. Papillary thyroid cancer was diagnosed in 40 % of the patients, follicular thyroid cancer – in 60 % in both groups. Tumor invasion into the capsule of thyroid gland was identified in 88 and 40 % of the cases in the first and second group respectively; thyroid capsular invasion – in 26 and 10 %; multicentricity – in 20 and 10 %; microcarcinomas (0.3–1.0  cm) – in 57 and 60 %, metastasis to regional lymph nodes – in 40 and 30 %. 51 % of the patients in the first group were found to have pT1 thyroid cancer with tumor capsular invasion without spreading beyond. After surgical treatment 23 % of the patients from the first group had changes in tumor stage from cT1–2  to pT3 according to routine histological examination results. Distant metastases were observed in 5 % of the cases in the first group and in 10 % in the second group. We found a statistically significant association between BRAF (V600E) mutation and tumor invasion into the capsule of thyroid gland (p < 0.05). At the same time neither multicentricity nor metastases in regional lymph nodes were associated with BRAF-mutation (p > 0.05). Conclusions. BRAF mutation in patients with PTC is associated with tumor invasion into the capsule of thyroid gland; this should imply the use of more aggressive treatment strategy (surgery). Further studies are needed to clarify the existing data.

Epithelium of an oral cavity and red border of lips – the most frequent source of malignant new growths of the head and neck. In article the structure, prevalence, tendencies of incidence and morphology of cancer tumors of a mucous membrane of an oral cavity and a border of lips among residents of Kabardino-Balkaria for the period are studied 1990–2014.  Material of a research were annual statements Oncologic Dispensary State Healthcare Institution of the Ministry of Health of Kabardino-Balkaria, archival biopsy and postoperative material Pathoanatomical Bureau State Healthcare Institution of the Ministry of Health of Kabardino-Balkaria. The intensive (rough) and standardized values on a sex, age and geographical zones, annual average rates of a surplus/decrease of incidence with use of the international standard of age distribution are calculated. Standardizationis carried out by a direct method. It is established that in Kabardino-Balkaria unlike the Russian indicators there is a reduction (and considerable) frequencies of cancer tumors of an oral cavity especially among female population. At the same time they are registered 4 times more among men, is 1.4 times more often at city dwellers, than at rural. At a carcinoma of a border of lips even more rapid fall of incidence on rates of a decrease exceeding the all-Russian indicators is observed. The male population is surprised 3 times more often women’s here, and the number for the first time of the revealed patients in rural and mountainous areas of Kabardino-Balkaria by 1.6 times exceeds incidence respectively among citizens and the population of steppe and forest-steppe zones. Cancer cases of a cavity prevail in age groups of 50–59  and 60–69  years, and in case of a carcinoma of a border of lips – at senile age (70 years and are more senior). The vast majority of cancer of oral localization (94 %) and all cases of a carcinoma of a border of lips on a histologic structure represented a planocellular form. Knowledge of epidemiological and morphological characteristics allow revealing actively patients at early stages of diseases, to hold medical examination and preventive events more effectively, to plan rational tactics of treatment of patients.

Objective. To study the change of expression of TrkA, p75 receptors and their ratio on the human anaplastic astrocytoma, glioblastoma and medulloblastoma cells cultures exposed to nerve growth factor (NGF) and its combination with cisplatin or temozolomide, to establish participation of expression of the receptors in sensitivity tumor cells to NGF and its combinations with chemotherapeutical drugs.

Materials and methods. In primary cell cultures of anaplastic astrocytoma, glioblastoma and medulloblastoma were studied: 1) cytotoxicity effects of nerve growth factor and its combination with cisplatin or temozolomide; 2) the expression of TrkA, p75 receptors and the its ratio by immunofluorescence; 3) correlation between expression of TrkA, p75 receptors, the its ratio and index of cytotoxicity of reagents.

Results. It is found that the expression of the receptors and the relationship depends on the tumor type and reagents’ mechanism of action. Expression of TrkA and p75 receptors and their ratio correlated with sensitivity of anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma cells to NGF and its combination with cisplatin or temozolomide.

Conclusion. Relative expression of TrkA/p75 receptor, and its coefficient of correlation with index of cytotoxicity point to a mechanism (signaling pathway), on which there is cell death. 

Data on 3597 newly diagnosed patients with malignant tumors of the eye was entered in the Moscow cancer registry during 2006–2015. The frequency of eyelid cancer was 75.62 %, its incidence was 3.4 per 100 000. People usually develop the disease at the age of 46–85 with the peak at 70–80 years. Incidence in females was 66.65 % higher than in males. The rate of basal cell carcinoma was 91.14 %. In 65.7 % of the cases tumor was diagnosed on Т1–2 stages; out of them only 34 % of the patients were diagnosed at T1 stage, when the disease can be completely cured.

Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is a rare neoplasm with a prevalence of only 0.005 % of all malignancies, and less than 1 % among patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. The diagnosis can be challenging due to the rarity of the disease, similarity of clinical features to parathyroid adenoma, and lack of reliable morphological signs of the tumor. For metastatic cancer of the parathyroid gland does not exist standard drug therapy due to the rare occurrence of this disease. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy failed to show any significant effect on the course of the disease. We report the case of a 27-year old woman with PC previously misdiagnosed as benign thyroid nodule and multiple lung metastases. After the immunohistochemical study and confirm of diagnosis PC the patient was treatment with multikinase inhibitor sorafenib successfully.