ENT - Head and Neck Cancer

Question 1

What type of cancer is most commonly associated with head and neck cancers?

Answer 1

Squamous cell carcinomas arising from the squamous cells of the mucosa

Question 2

List the potential areas affected by head and neck cancers

Answer 2

• Nasal cavity
• Paranasal sinuses
• Mouth
• Salivary glands
• Pharynx (throat)
• Larynx (epiglottis, supraglottis, vocal cords, glottis and subglottis)

Question 3

Where do head and neck cancers usually spread first?

Answer 3

Lymph nodes

Question 4

What is cancer of unknown primary?

Answer 4

When squamous cell carcinoma cells are found in an enlarged lymph node and the original tumor cannot be found

Question 5

What are the risk factors for developing HNN cancer?

Answer 5

Smoking
Chewing tobacco
Betel chewing
Alcohol
HPV 16
EBV

Question 6

What does the HPV vaccine Gardasil protect against?

Answer 6

• Strains 6
• Strains 11
• Strains 16
• Strains 18

Question 7

List some red flags indicating potential head and neck cancer

Answer 7

• Lump in the mouth or on the lip
• Unexplained ulceration in the mouth lasting more than 3 weeks
• Erythroplakia or erythroleukoplakia
• Persistent neck lump
• Unexplained hoarseness of voice
• Unexplained thyroid lump

Question 8

How are HNN cancers managed?

Answer 8

MDT

Dependent on TNM and patient factors

• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Surgery
• Targeted cancer drugs
• Palliative care

Question 9

What is Cetuximab?

Answer 9

A monoclonal antibody used in treating squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck

Targets epidermal growth factor receptor, blocknig activation and inhibiting growth and metasis of the tumour