**12. References**


should result in preventing the distant metastasis. From this point of view, our results suggest that docetaxel, which decreased local invasiveness, may prevent distant metastasis. Although the effect of docetaxel on cell migration or invasiveness of ovary cancer cells (Bijman et al. 2008) and umbilical vein endothelial cells (Bijman et al. 2006) have been

Actin cytoskeleton provides the driving force for cell migration, while microtubules are required to establish cell polarity during motility in fibroblasts (Bershadsky et al. 1991). Actin is regulated by Rho family small GTPases, and it is indicated that microtubules may influence actin cytoskeleton through modulation of the activity of Rho GTPases (Wittmann et al. 2001). Among Rho GTPases, cdc42 was reported to control the polarity of actin and microtubule through distinct signal transduction pathways (Cau et al. 2005). It is possible that the abnormal tubulin bundle induced by docetaxel lead to suppression of cdc42 activity. This decreased cdc42 activity could affect actin filament and decrease the migration

In contrast, we could not find definitive evidence for docetaxel to directly affect actin cytoskeleton regulation. It did not affect EMT processes or MMP production of these head

 In conclusion, it is likely that docetaxel suppresses SCC migration through inhibition of microtubule turnover, which affects cdc42 activity and its subcellular localization leading to decreased filopodia formation. We propose that effect on cancer cell migration should be assessed together with anti-proliferative activity when evaluating a cancer chemotherapeutic agent. Along this line, we are now evaluating anti-migratory effect of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, another class of promising treatment for head and neck

Posner, M. R., D. M. Hershock, C. R. Blajman, E. Mickiewicz, E. Winquist, V. Gorbounova, S.

Vermorken, J. B., E. Remenar, C. van Herpen, T. Gorlia, R. Mesia, M. Degardin, J. S. Stewart,

Kogashiwa, Y., H. Sakurai, T. Kimura and N. Kohno (2010). "Docetaxel suppresses invasiveness of head and neck cancer cells in vitro." Cancer Sci 101(6): 1382-1386.

Hall, A. (1998). "Rho GTPases and the actin cytoskeleton." Science 279(5350): 509-514.

Tjulandin, D. M. Shin, K. Cullen, T. J. Ervin, B. A. Murphy, L. E. Raez, R. B. Cohen, M. Spaulding, R. B. Tishler, B. Roth, C. Viroglio Rdel, V. Venkatesan, I. Romanov, S. Agarwala, K. W. Harter, M. Dugan, A. Cmelak, A. M. Markoe, P. W. Read, L. Steinbrenner, A. D. Colevas, C. M. Norris, Jr. and R. I. Haddad (2007). "Cisplatin and fluorouracil alone or with docetaxel in head and neck cancer." N Engl J Med

S. Jelic, J. Betka, J. H. Preiss, D. van den Weyngaert, A. Awada, D. Cupissol, H. R. Kienzer, A. Rey, I. Desaunois, J. Bernier and J. L. Lefebvre (2007). "Cisplatin, fluorouracil, and docetaxel in unresectable head and neck cancer." N Engl J Med

described, its effect on head and neck cancer cells has not been evaluated.

of the head and neck cancer cells.

and neck cancer cell lines.

**11. Conclusion** 

**12. References** 

357(17): 1705-1715.

357(17): 1695-1704.

cancer.


**A Review of Tonsillectomy Techniques and** 

The circular band of lymphoid tissue within the pharynx consisting of the adenoids, the palatine tonsils (Figure 1), and lingual tonsils is known as Waldeyer's ring. The palatine tonsils are lymphoid tissue with prominent germinal centers and the palatine tonsils, in contrast to the lingual tonsils and adenoids, have a distinct capsule1which separates the tonsils from the lateral pharyngeal walls. The tonsil lies within a bed of three muscles that make up the tonsillar fossa. Forming the anterior pillar is the palatoglossus muscle and the posterior pillar is the palatopharyngeus muscle, while the superior constrictor muscle makes up the bed of the fossa. Medially, the tonsil crypts lay exposed to the oropharynx with

The tonsils are well vascularized with the majority of the blood supply arising from the tonsillar branch of the facial artery.1The nerve supply of the tonsils arise from the ninth cranial nerve and descending branches from the lesser palatine nerves and the tympanic branch of CN IX is thought to account for the referred ear pain found in some cases of tonsillitis. The tonsils have no afferent lymphatic vessels. Their efferent lymph drainage is through the upper cervical nodes, especially to the jugulodigastric group. Tonsils and adenoids are immunologically most active between the ages of 4 and 10 years, and tend to

**1. Introduction** 

specialize stratified squamous epithelium.

Fig. 1. Orophaynx with Palatine Tonsils.

involutes after puberty.2

**1.1 Anatomy** 

**Technologies** 

*Federal Medical Centre, Azare, Bauchi State,* 

S. K. Aremu

*Nigeria* 

Wittmann, T. and C. M. Waterman-Storer (2001). "Cell motility: can Rho GTPases and microtubules point the way?" J Cell Sci 114(Pt 21): 3795-3803. **10** 
