Introduction. Follicular thyroid cancer is much less common than papillary cancer. Nevertheless, the main difficulties in preoperative diagnosis are associated with this morphological type. A fine needle aspiration biopsy is not able to distinguish a benign follicular adenoma from a follicular carcinoma, which forces surgeons to perform diagnostic resection of the thyroid gland in all patients with a cytological conclusion «follicular tumor».

Aim. To search for microRNAs specific to follicular cancer by sequencing a new generation.

Materials and methods. The data of patients with a preoperative cytological conclusion «follicular tumor» operated at the Chelyabinsk Center for Endocrine Surgery from 2021 to 2022 were analyzed. Histological preparations were reviewed twice by pathologists. Genome sequencing was performed in 8 histological samples of follicular cancer and 8 samples of follicular adenoma. The expression levels of the selected microRNAs were compared with 198 archived cytological samples of various types of thyroid tumors.

Results. The risk of malignancy at the cytological conclusion «follicular tumor» was 25.4 % (error 74.6 %). Follicular cancer was first detected in 36 patients, the incidence was 0.68 new cases per 100 thousand population per year. The diagnosis of «follicular cancer» was confirmed by 3 morphologists in 8 (36.4 %) cases. Sequencing revealed the 5 most distinct microRNAs between follicular cancer and follicular adenoma: miR-625, miR-323a, let-7a, let-7c and miR-574. The level of errors in the differentiation of follicular adenoma and follicular cancer using the microRNAs we selected was 21 % (35 % with cross-validation).

Conclusion. Molecular genetic research at the preoperative stage, aimed at differentiating follicular cancer and follicular adenoma, in comparison with cytological research has a greater, but insufficient accuracy for making a final clinical decision.

Introduction. The surgical stage of treatment is the most important component of the combined method of treatment in cancer patients. However, it is associated with the development of a number of complications caused by stress. In this regard, the modern concept of an anesthesiological manual should also be aimed at protecting the body from surgical stress, which requires the search and development of new gentle methods of anesthesia.

Aim. To provide an overview of modern stress protection methods in anesthesia and consider the role of dalargin with carbohydrate loading as a component of stress protection in oncological surgery.

Materials and methods. Using the electronic resources of the PubMed and eLibrary search engines, a literary review of 147 scientific papers over the past 30 years has been conducted, which contain an evidence-based experimental and clinical base on the use of dalargin in medical practice.

Results. A systematic review of stress protection methods in anesthesiology is presented. The role of dalargin in anesthesiological practice during surgical treatment in cancer patients, including when performing delayed reconstructions, is shown.

Conclusion. The use of dalargin in combination with carbohydrate loading in cancer patients is justified and requires further detailed study. The ability to stimulate endogenous opioid receptors and modulate pain perception, its organoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as a favorable safety profile make dalargin a valuable addition to the tools for anesthesia in oncology.

Introduction. The main part among all malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity is tongue cancer, the leading method of treatment of which is surgery. Surgical treatment leads to a violation of such important functions of the language as speech and swallowing, which in turn reduces the quality of life of patients. However, to date, opinions differ on the issue of performing language reconstruction. In addition, there are no clear indications for the use of one or another type of defect replacement, with the help of which it will be possible to achieve the best functional results.

Aim. To evaluate the functional results after hemiglossectomy for malignant neoplasms of the tongue, compare various reconstruction strategies (with and without a flap).

Materials and methods. The study included 44 patients with tongue cancer with a follow-up period of at least 6 months. Functional results were assessed using a quality of life questionnaire and speech therapy assessment.

Results. Patients who underwent tongue reconstruction had higher functional results and the best indicators of quality of life compared to patients who did not undergo reconstruction.

Conclusion. Hemiglossectomy leads to impaired speech and swallowing functions and, accordingly, to a decrease in the quality of life. Since performing the reconstruction affects the functional results, it should be properly planned before the operation.

In patients with head and neck tumors severe pain is more common than in patients with malignant neoplasms of other locations. At a third of patients, pain is the first characteristic of the disease, and after diagnosis, one half of the patients are already having pain syndrome. Аntitumor treatment often not only bring relief, but can intensify pain, which can reduce wish to treated. Part of cancer survivor continue to experience. Thus, orofacial pain syndrome should be share depending on the mechanism of appearence and tactics of treatment on three periods: pain at the stage of diagnosis, then pain syndrome in process antitumor therapy and pain in remission. It is actually if it necessary to prescribe opioid analgesics, especially for a long time. Intensity of orofacial pain syndrome is usually strong and often need to prescribe opioid analgesics. Option to opioid analgesics may be a representative of a new group of analgetics – peptide analgesics – tafalgin. The mechanism of action is due to highly selective agonism to the m1-opioid receptors. The presented clinical example demonstrates the good analgesic effect of tafalgin and the possibility use as option to analgesics of the second stage of pain management.

Introduction. Malignant brain tumors, such as anaplastic astrocytomas and anaplastic oligodendrogliomas grade 3, are characterized by high aggressiveness and pose a serious clinical problem. This study focuses on assessing intratumoral heterogeneity in anaplastic astrocytomas and anaplastic oligodendrogliomas and its impact on disease prognosis.

Aim. To study characteristics of intratumoral heterogeneity, in particular such morphological criteria as necrosis, vascular proliferation, mitoses, and mutations in the most significant for glioma progression genes in the groups of grade III astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas, as well as analysis of prognostic significance of these parameters.

Materials and methods. The study included 389 patients with IDH-mutant astrocytomas and 200 patients with oligodendrogliomas. The mean Ki-67 labeling index of astrocytomas was 12.78 %, while that of oligodendrogliomas was 8.54 %.

Results. The presence of vascular proliferation, necrosis, of more than 20 % of the area of the specimen occupied by sarcomatous-like areas and the number of mitoses significantly affected not only disease-free survival but also overall survival of patients. In the clinical setting, mutations in the TERT promoter gene, amplification and mutation of the EGFR gene, deletion of the CDKN2A gene, and TP53 gene had a significant negative impact on recurrence-free and overall survival.

Conclusion. The results of single-cell RNA sequencing showed additional factors, including sarcomatous-like areas, as well as TERT, EGFR, CDKN2A and TP53 mutations, in the progression of the tumors under consideration and in ensuring an increase in their malignant potential.

Introduction. One of the areas of maintenance therapy in oncology is dental support for patients, the effectiveness of which is currently low. The prevalence of complications of anticancer treatment reaches 100 % of cases. This negatively affects the prognosis of the treatment of an oncological patient and the quality of his life.

Aim. To analyze the factors that reduce the effectiveness and efficiency of accompanying dental therapy.

Materials and methods. Retrospective analysis of clinical observations of the Department of General and Clinical Dentistry named after V.S. Dmitrieva was carried out on the basis of the Russian Scientific Center of Roentgenoradiology.

Results. Factors decreasing the quality and effectiveness of accompanying dental therapy are dental unpreparedness of patients prescribed antitumor treatment, very low level of personal hygiene of the oral cavity, as well as insufficient number of available highly effective techniques for treatment and prevention of radiation injuries.

Absence of professionals having skills in dental care for oncological patients at all stages of routing (from diagnosis to rehabilitation after completion of antitumor treatment) is another factor contributing to low effectiveness of accompanying therapy and, in our opinion, the most significant. The current clinical guidelines governing the process of examination and treatment of patients with malignant tumors do not contain detailed instructions for dentists about the techniques, approaches of dental accompaniment, and the necessary medications.

Conclusion. Factors that reduce the effectiveness and efficiency of dental accompanying therapy have been identified: the lack of trained dental personnel with the skills to provide care to cancer patients; underestimation of the role of a dentist in solving general clinical problems; lack of a systematic approach to providing accompanying therapy to cancer patients; lack of continuity between the polyclinic link and the stationary.

Introduction. The main treatment option for malignant neoplasms of the head and neck is combined. However, survival rates are still relatively unchanged. The surgical stage of treatment leads to extensive defects that are eliminated through reconstructive technologies. Despite the priority of performing reconstruction at the same time, delayed reconstructions are still being discussed 6–12 months after surgical treatment; therefore, it is necessary to develop new methodological and practical approaches.

Aim. To determine the features of the delayed reconstructive-plastic stage in patients with malignant tumors maxillofacial region, evaluation of possible solutions for optimizing the stage.

Material and methods. The analysis of available literature sources was taken in the database Medline, Pubmed, eLibrary, etc. The 101 studies were found, 60 were used to write a systematic review.

Results. Delayed reconstructive plastic surgery should take into the possibility more complex and larger defects of soft and bone tissues during the reconstructive stage, previous surgery and/or radiation therapy create significant difficulties for the identification of recipient vessels. Computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technologies allow projecting the design and positioning of reconstructive material at the preoperative stage. Mandibular reconstruction is the most difficult, that isn’t achieve only an aesthetic result, but also to restore the biomechanics of the temporomandibular joint. The development of specific complications hinders the improvement of the patient’s quality of life. In the early postoperative period is may develop necrosis of the flap, thrombosis of vascular pedicle, hematoma; in the late postoperative period plate extrusion is still one of the common complications, planning delayed reconstruction an important aspect is prevention or treatment of osteoradionecrosis. The combination of precarbohydrate loading and dalargin will allow to reduce the frequency of perioperative complications and improve the long-term results of surgical treatment.

Conclusion. Reconstructive treatment in patients with defects requiring postponed reconstructive surgeries is a complex problem which requires development of an integrated approach with detailed analysis of the existing defect and previous antitumor therapy.

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.

Osteosarcoma of jaw is a rare malignant neoplasm of the maxillofacial region. Morphologically and radiologically identical to trunk and extremities sarcomas, but clinical features and prognosis of the disease have important differences. The strategy in treatment of gnathic sarcomas extrapolated from peripheral sarcomas, and represents an integrated multidisciplinary approach. The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy remains controversial as well as adjuvant chemotherapy due to lack of clinical research. Surgical treatment with achievement of clean resection margins is the main favorable prognostic factor. Fibular free flap has been widely used for the last decade for mandible reconstruction. The strategies of treatment recurrent disease directly depend on ability to perform complete resection. Despite increased technical complexity, secondary free peroneal flap reconstruction can be performed safely, reliably, and with similar results to the premier segmental mandibulectomy. The use of radiation therapy is limited to unresectable or recurrent lesions. Well known that jaw osteosarcomas have a relatively higher survival rate and low metastasis rate, however, local recurrences significantly worsen the prognosis of patients. The following is a clinical case of treatment recurrent jaw osteosarcoma using second fibular free flap.

Introduction. Malignant tumors of the salivary glands account for 3–5 % of all cases of head and neck cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is the rarest histological variant of this pathology. It accounts for an average of 1.6 %. Among large salivary gland tumors, squamous cell carcinoma most often occurs in the parotid salivary gland.

Aim. To present a clinical case of primary disseminated cancer of the parotid salivary gland with squamous cell structure.

Clinical observation. A 70-year-old patient was under observation who was diagnosed with a primary squamous cell tumor of the parotid salivary gland with multiple metastases during a complex examination. He was sick for about 6 months when asymmetry of left half of the face appeared due to a painful neoplasm in the parotid salivary gland. Recently, the patient has noted increased tumor growth. Objective examination revealed peripheral paralysis of the facial nerve on the left. In the parotid-masticatory region on the left, with a transition to the zygomatic region, there is a dense painful immobile exophytic tumor with infiltration into soft tissues of the face and skin 6.5 × 5.0 cm in size with an ulcer in the center. Laterally, it reaches the tragus, and at the bottom-the angle of the lower jaw. In the submandibular region on the left, metastatic lymph nodes 2.5 × 2.0 cm in size are palpated. A biopsy was collected. Histological conclusion: non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. Expression of the programmed death receptor ligand (PD-L1) in the tumor is negative. Mutations of genes Her2-neu and BRAF were not detected. According to medical imaging methods, multiple metastases were found in the lungs, liver, zygomatic bone and tumor growth in the maxillary sinus on the left. The diagnosis was established: cancer of the parotid salivary gland, stage IVC, cT4N1M1, with metastases to the liver, lungs and bones. Polychemotherapy was prescribed according to the scheme: 5-fluorouracil + cisplatin + cetuximab + bisphosphonates. After 3 cycles, a partial regression is obtained.

Conclusion. The primary squamous cell carcinoma is prone to an aggressive course and has an unfavorable prognosis, especially in patients over 60 years of age with skin and facial nerve damage, as well as the presence of regional and distant metastases. Differential diagnosis is necessary to exclude the secondary nature of the tumor. The presented case is a rare example of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid salivary gland with extensive metastatic lesion and regression of the pathological process after polychemotherapy in combination with targeted therapy.