Esophageal, Head and Neck, Thyroid Flashcards
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
aggressive cancer with low survival rates in advanced stages
Oral cavity site causes
sun exposure, HPV, paan (used by southeast Asians), intake of mate
Oral cavity ages and risk
Rare in persons younger than age 40, risk of metastasis is great, only about 50% live longer than 5 years
Nasopharynx causes
Epstein-Barr virus infection
occupational exposure to wood dust
consumption of certain preservatives or slated foods
Nasopharynx most common in
Chinese ancestry
Oropharynx causes
Poor oral hygiene
HPV infection
use of mouthwash with high alcohol content
Paranasal sinuess and nasal cavity
Industrial exposures, such as wood or nickel dust inhalation
Hypopharynx causes
Plummer-Vinson syndrome = rare disorder that results from iron and other nutritional deficiencies with severe anemia
Larynx causes
Exposure to airborne particles of asbestos
Parotid and salivary glands causes
Radiation to head and neck. Diagnositc X-rays or RT for noncancerous conditions or cancer. Cancer is rare. Surgery is curative.
Esopahgeal cancer develops in -
middle or lower third of esophagus. most common types.
Esophageal ages
More common in > 50 years old and males
Barrett’s esophagus (BE)
premalignant condition associate with esophageal cancer - COX-2 is overexpressed
Thyroid cancer
TSH from pituitary causes thyroid gland to produced thyroid hormones and to realse thyroglobulin. Papillary tumors are most common type
Thyroid cancer distant metastasis
uncommon, but lung and bone are the most common sites
Thyroid meds
Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid needed to keep TSH levels low
Thyroid surgery and RDI
Thyroidectomy may be used or RDI to destroy cancerous cells that remain after surgery. Low iodine diet needed about 2 weeks before RDI treatment
Head and Neck vitamins
increase intake of Vitamin D3, A and C, zinc
EGCG in green tea beneficial
Cisplatin side effects
N/V, altered taste, changes in renal fxn, diarrhea
Bleomycin and methotrexate side effects
nausea, vomiting, anorexia, stomattitis
Pilocarpine
may be used as a saliva substitute for xerostomia
Herbs
Avoid echinacea and St John’s wort with cyclosporine or methotrexate
Curcumin = powerful inhibitor of COX-2 expression
L-carinite somtimes used to decrease toxicity from agents such as bleomycin
Zinc supplementation helps in managing mucositis after radiation
