Care of immunocompromised patients with head and neck cancer during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Two challenging and informative clinical cases

Abstract

Background and Methods

There is an added level of complexity in the management of head and neck cancer patients with underlying immunosuppressive disorders during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Head and neck oncologists are tasked with balancing the dual risks of cancer progression in the setting of impaired tumor immunity and increased susceptibility to life‐threatening complications from exposure to viral infection for patients and providers. Through two cases of immunocompromised patients with newly diagnosed head and neck malignancies, we aim to provide guidance to clinicians struggling with how to best counsel and manage this unique subset of patients under these difficult circumstances.

Results

After careful consideration of the options, we took different approaches in the care of these two patients.

Conclusions

Ultimately, there is no uniform set of rules to apply to this heterogeneous group of immunocompromised patients. We provide some general principles to help guide patient management during the current pandemic.

1. INTRODUCTION

We currently find ourselves in unprecedented times. The measures needed to control the COVID‐19 outbreak are directly at odds with providing comprehensive cancer care. Across the world, people are being told to stay home and severely limit their activities. But the treatment of head and neck cancer requires multidisciplinary collaboration, which directly translates to significant exposure and interactions with many different people in hospital systems. Early data from the epidemic in China suggest that a cancer diagnosis is a risk factor for severe events from COVID‐19, especially if the patient recently underwent chemotherapy or surgery.1, 2, 3, 4 Patients with cancer and iatrogenic immunosuppression for the treatment of other medical conditions are likely at even greater risk of complications and death from viral infection.

Malignant tumors of the head and neck account for approximately 3% of all cancers in the United States, with about 53 260 Americans expected to be diagnosed in 2020. ⁵ Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical for increasing survival and preserving organ function and quality of life. A systematic review on time to diagnosis or treatment in oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer patients found higher stage and inferior survival with longer treatment delays.6, 7

During the current pandemic, any decision that could lead to airway emergencies or more extensive surgeries in the near future has the potential for putting health care providers at greater risk of COVID‐19 exposure.8, 9, 10 Aerosol‐generating procedures, including tracheal intubation, tracheotomy, noninvasive ventilation, and manual ventilation, are associated with increased risks of acute respiratory infections among health care workers. ¹¹ Anecdotal reports from Wuhan, China, report higher rates of infection specifically among otolaryngologists.12, 13, 14, 15 Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a currently scarce but essential resource for the aerosolizing procedures performed by otolaryngologists.

The decision to perform surgery for mucosal cancer is currently difficult in all head and neck cancer patients, but particularly complicated in patients with a secondary diagnosis or medical therapy leading to an immunocompromised state, as their risk of infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 is surely even more pronounced. A diagnosis of cancer in an already immunocompromised patient is also a time‐sensitive matter, as impaired immunity can increase the growth and spread of a cancer.16, 17 Immunocompromised patients with COVID‐19 are also thought to be more likely to have severe adverse events, although the data are still limited.1, 18 Combining the two factors of a cancer diagnosis and an immunosuppressed state intensifies the gravity and complexity of the situation. We report two presentations of head and neck cancer in immunocompromised patients in the setting of this global pandemic and discuss our clinical rationale for the different approaches taken in each case.

2. CASE REPORTS

2.1. Case 1

A 46‐year‐old male with a history of aplastic anemia and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation complicated by chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) resulting in multiple past squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the oral cavity presented with a new tongue lesion. In the past he has undergone multiple resections of tongue and buccal mucosa cancers with reconstructions, a left neck dissection, and adjuvant radiotherapy. His course has been complicated by a difficult airway, vocal cord paralysis, an occluded left carotid stent, and a complex neck abscess requiring long‐term antibiotic prophylaxis.

A new oral tongue lesion was first identified on a routine follow‐up in January 2020. The patient was asymptomatic without pain, bleeding, or difficulty in eating. Exam demonstrated a lesion of the right lateral tongue with thickened leukoplakia and central depression. There was mild erythema of the mucosa but no erythroplakia. The left lateral tongue had minimal leukoplakia similar to prior exams. There were no palpable cervical lymph nodes or visible lesions on flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy. On repeat exam a few weeks later, the patient reported new tongue tenderness, worse on the right side. The physical appearance of the lesion was unchanged other than mildly increased thickness. Given worsening symptoms, the decision was made to perform an in‐office biopsy.

Biopsy of the tongue lesion revealed squamous cell carcinoma, at least in situ, and hyperkeratotic squamous mucosa with lichenoid chronic inflammation. Pathology noted that invasive cancer could not be excluded based on the biopsy specimen. We therefore planned a transoral partial glossectomy for excision of the new tongue lesion with intraoperative assessment of margins and possible split thickness skin graft.

At this point, COVID‐19 had entered our institution. Although surgery was the ideal approach to the diagnosis and treatment, we decided to delay intervention for the time being given his significant immunocompromised state and the small, relatively indolent nature of a lesion that could be monitored visually with relative ease. He is currently home quarantined with care coordinated via telemedicine including weekly photographic updates of the tongue lesion (Figure 1).

FIGURE 1.

Photograph of patient 1's tongue lesion uploaded to the secure electronic health care portal for review by the head and neck surgeon [Color figure can be viewed at http://wileyonlinelibrary.com]

2.2. Case 2

A 39‐year‐old female, never‐smoker, with a history of squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the right true vocal cord, longstanding Crohn's disease, and gastroesophageal reflux presented with a cough and sore throat. The prior right vocal cord lesion had been treated with microlaryngoscopy and KTP laser excision by an outside otolaryngologist 7 months earlier. The pathology was consistent with SCC in situ with negative margins. Her Crohn's disease has been difficult to control with oral involvement and prior requirement for multiple immunosuppressants and steroids, including most recently the systemic biologic ustekinumab (Stelara). Gastroenterology planned to switch the patient to vedolizumab (Entyvio) in place of ustekinumab given ongoing uncontrolled GI symptoms and the presence of the head and neck neoplasm. Vedolizumab is a more gastrointestinal‐selective agent, with less systemic immunosuppression.

At presentation, she reported a number of laryngeal symptoms including constant cough, hoarseness, and sore throat, without shortness of breath. On nasopharyngolaryngoscopy, a mass of the right anterior/mid true cord was observed. The entire vocal fold was noted to be edematous and erythematous, but vocal cord mobility was normal. There were no palpable cervical lymph nodes. The patient was counseled on the need for tissue biopsy of the concerning vocal cord lesion.

Microdirect laryngoscopy with biopsy of the right vocal cord mass was performed in late January 2020. The lesion involved the right anterior vocal cord without involvement of the anterior commissure, very limited involvement of the inferior aspect of the vocal cord and suspicion for possible early infraglottic extension. The lesion was noted to be partly submucosal, very firm, and adherent to the underlying muscle/ligament (Figure 2). Pathology was positive for invasive, well‐differentiated, keratinizing SCC. She was therefore diagnosed with a stage I (cT1aN0M0) SCC of the right vocal fold.

FIGURE 2.

Photograph of patient 2's right vocal cord squamous cell carcinoma [Color figure can be viewed at http://wileyonlinelibrary.com]

At this point, COVID‐19 had entered our institution. Standard‐of‐care options would normally include open or endoscopic cordectomy or definitive radiotherapy. Radiation oncology favored primary surgical resection over radiotherapy given the risk of increased radiation toxicity in a patient with active Crohn's disease with oral cavity involvement, the risk of exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2 from other patients and health care providers during a typical 28‐fraction (6 week) course of radiotherapy, which would have corresponded to the predicted peak surge in COVID‐19 cases in our region, and her young age and hypothetical risk of secondary malignancy. After discussion of the risks and benefits of the different options with the patient and in collaboration with our multidisciplinary team, she decided to undergo laser cordectomy.

In order to minimize aerosolization, the procedure was done with sharp (cold) technique instead of laser. It was felt that an outpatient procedure was preferable with avoidance of open partial laryngectomy with imbrication and tracheostomy. At the time of surgery, the tumor was considerably more extensive in terms of infraglottic spread than had been anticipated and had likely progressed over a very short interval since the original diagnosis. She was discharged after surgery and instructed to take oral hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) 400 mg twice daily on day one, then 200 mg twice daily for 4 days per an Infectious Disease consultant. Final pathology revealed a keratinizing, well‐differentiated, invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the right vocal cord with negative but close margins, and was pathologically staged as T2a. Tumor board consensus was to follow her by telemedicine for the next several weeks and have her return for an in‐person visit after the anticipated viral infection “surge” in our community, and if she were to recur consideration of radiotherapy or supracricoid partial laryngectomy. At this time, the patient is recovering well postoperatively, with her care being coordinated via telemedicine.

3. DISCUSSION

In this report, we present two cases of immunocompromised patients presenting with head and neck cancer with the goal of using their management as illustrations that exemplify how therapeutic decisions might be made in this extremely vulnerable population at a unique time in the practice of medicine.

In Case 1, a patient developed another early oral tongue lesion on a background of a very complicated history of prior oral cavity cancers and chronic GVHD after allogeneic stem cell transplant for aplastic anemia. In this case, we determined that the risk of potential COVID‐19 exposure outweighed the risk of delaying his treatment for a few months. A number of factors contributed to our decision. The location and size of the lesion on the tongue was thought to not put the patient at risk for airway obstruction. The lesion was easy visualized by the patient and clinician through telemedicine visits, and the patient felt comfortable sharing photographs regularly. Finally, the anticipated delay in definitive therapy of a few months was thought unlikely to significantly alter his functional outcome and overall survival.

In Case 2, we presented a recurrent early stage glottic lesion in a patient on chronic immunosuppressive medications for Crohn's disease. The biologic agent used to treat her inflammatory bowel disease was modified to use a less systemically immunosuppressive agent. The benefits of proceeding with surgery immediately were felt to outweigh the risk of possible COVID‐19 exposure. The main reasons for this decision were the implications of rapid cancer progression on her overall outcome, the potential airway risk, and inability to monitor with telemedicine. The decision to recommend surgery over definitive radiotherapy was multifactorial but incorporated the heightened risk of exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2 during a typical 6‐week course of radiotherapy, which in her case would have corresponded to the predicted peak surge in COVID‐19 cases in our region.

During this pandemic, especially in situations where the benefits of each modality are comparable, we should consider the degree of immunosuppression caused by our therapies as well as the risks of viral exposure to the immunocompromised patient. There is a period of immunosuppression in the immediate postoperative period due to a variety of metabolic and endocrine responses with studies showing increases in glucocorticoids and decreases in the number and function of critical leukocyte subpopulations for up to 30 days; the extent of the change is related to the magnitude of surgical insult. ¹⁹ Additional studies also have shown that the immunosuppressive effects of surgery can be minimized by adequate pain control and the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Although surgery may put the patient at acute risk for exposure to COVID‐19, chemotherapy may result in further immunosuppression, and radiotherapy typically requires daily visits to an outpatient clinic over a period of 5 to 7 weeks.20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 The latter will increase the potential exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2. The overall risk to the immunocompromised patient of acquiring a COVID‐19 infection is probably greater with radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy than after a single visit to the hospital for surgery, even if that one visit requires tracheostomy and hospitalization. However, sufficient data are not available to reach definitive conclusions about these competing risks at this time.

A discussion with an Infectious Disease specialist about the potential benefit of medications such as hydroxychloroquine, a drug with some preliminary, but limited, evidence of inhibition of SARS‐CoV‐2 in vitro and viral load reduction in COVID‐19 patients, may be warranted for the post‐operative period, as was agreed upon in Case 2.26, 27, 28, 29 The importance of home isolation should be stressed with all of these patients.

The current rule of thumb in the face of this pandemic is cancellation of elective appointments and surgeries; however, no cancer treatment is truly elective.30, 31, 32 Decision making for all patients with operable cancers requires a nuanced approach, especially when there is the added complication of comorbid immunosuppression as in the two cases we present. We favor operating when there is a concern for future airway obstruction or life‐threatening bleeding if treatment is delayed. If the decision is made to operate, appropriate PPE, such as an N95 mask with a face shield and eye protection, is of utmost importance to protect the entire surgical team as well as the patient.8, 13, 14, 15 Telemedicine appointments and photographic monitoring should be used whenever feasible in order to allow home isolation. Most importantly, we recommend an honest discussion of the situation with the patient, taking into account their comfort and goals of care.

4. CONCLUSION

The COVID‐19 pandemic continues to present innumerable unique challenges throughout the health care system. Otolaryngology is an especially challenging subspecialty at this time, with the intrinsic exposure risks to providers of procedures that generate aerosols. Practice is even more complicated when patients present with complex cancers and coincident immunosuppression. Clinical decision making requires careful weighing of the competing risks of various approaches and honest communication with the patient. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, including the addition of specialties such as infectious disease, is the preferred approach to managing these patients in these unusual circumstances.

Civantos AM, Carey RM, Lichtenstein GR, Lukens JN, Cohen RB, Rassekh CH. Care of immunocompromised patients with head and neck cancer during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Two challenging and informative clinical cases. Head & Neck. 2020;42:1131–1136. 10.1002/hed.26165