Groher and Crary Chapter 4 Flashcards
What is cancer?
abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth that forms extra, unwanted and potentially destructive tissue
What is the proliferation of cell growth?
hyperplasia
What are the primary risk factors for head and neck cancer (excluding nasopharyngeal cancer)?
tobacco and heavy alcohol use
What are other high-risk factors for head and neck cancer?
human papillomavirus infection (HPV), poor oral hygiene, consumption of certain processed foods, radiation exposure and mechanical irritation
What is metastasis?
the traveling of abnormal cancer cells to various places in the body where they grow and proliferate
What is cachexia?
a state of ill health, malnutrition, and muscle wasting
What percentage of individuals with head and neck cancer can demonstrate some degree of malnutrition?
30-50%
What is the staging phase in evaluating cancer?
determining how far the cancer has spread
Which system is used most often to stage cancer?
TNM (tumor-nodes-metastisis)
TX
primary tumor cannot be assessed
T0
no evidence of primary tumor
Tis
carcinoma in situ
T1
tumor 2 cm or less in greatest diameter
T2
tumor between 2-4cm in greatest dimension
T3
tumor more than 4cm in greatest diameter
T4
tumor invades adjacent structures
NX
regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed
N0
no regional lymph node metastasis
N1
metastasis in a single ipsilateral lymph node
N2a
metastasis in a single ipsilateral lymph node between 3-6cm
N2b
metastasis in multiple ipsilateral lymph nodes, none greater than 6cm
N2c
in bilateral or contralateral lymph nodes, non more than 6 cm in greatest diameter
N3
metastasis in lymph node more than 6 cm in greatest diameter
MX
distant metastasis cannot be assessed
M0
no distant metastasis
What are the 3 primary options for treating cancer?
surgery, radiation, chemotherapy
Which of the 3 primary cancer treatments is not considered “curative” and is only supplemental?
chemotherapy
Which cancer treatment puts patients at a higher risk for swallowing difficulties?
radiation therapy
What is the 50% rule?
in oral cancer, removal of less than 50% of a structure will NOT result in significant or permanent swallowing problems
Why is the 50% considered out of date?
there are more surgical reconstructive technologies, such as “flaps”
