Exam 3 Part 4 Flashcards
T/F: Adenocarcinomas are most commonly seen than squamous cell carcinomas in head and neck region.
False
T/F: Glottic cancers have less chances to get metastasized as the glottic regions do not have lymphatic drainage, but metastasis happens if the tumor from glottic region spreads to supraglottic or subglottic regions.
True
What are the risk factors for head and neck cancer?
Smoking, HPV, betel nut, catha edulis, alcohol and smoking combined, GER, diet, radiation to head and neck, particle inhalation (asbestos), agent orange, genetics
What are common symptoms of head and neck cancer?
Hoarseness, lump in throat sensation, persistent throat clearing, mass in head/neck area, persistent coughing, sore throat, difficulty breathing, burning sensation when swallowing, unexplained weight loss, reduced jaw opening
What is included in the medical evaluation of head and neck cancer?
Case history, indirect mirror laryngoscopy, flexible fiberoptic endoscopy, videostroboscopy, direct laryngoscopy, CT and PET scan, MRI, biopsy, lab tests
Important test to look at soft tissues like tumor and understand the exact location and regions involved in metastasis.
MRI
Important test to confirm the cancer
Biopsy
Important imaging technique to get 3-D image of hard structures.
CT scan
One of the important test to exactly locate tumor growths in the body using a radioactive isotope with sugar.
PET scan
What is the most common type of head and neck cancer?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Where are squamous cell carcinomas located?
Cells that line the mucosal cells of the nose, sinuses, mouth, throat
Cancers that begin in the glandular cells
Adenocarcinoma
Refer to tumor size and extend
T
Refers to absence or presence and extent of the regional lymph node metastasis
N
Refers to presence or absence of distant metastasis
M
Refers to presence or absence of extra nodal extension
ENE
What type of patients have higher survival rates?
If no metastasis is present with the tumor
Regional lymph node involvement _____ by 50%
Decreases
Squamous cancer cells that are found in the lymph nodes of the upper neck when there is no evidence of cancer in other parts of the head/neck
Metastatic squamous neck cancer with unknown primary
Supraglottic cancers have a ______ rate of bilateral lymph node metastasis than do glottic primaries
Higher
