H&N Cancers Flashcards
What causes H&N cancers?
tobacco alcohol viruses - Epstein Barr, HPV betel nut - chewed in india and pakistan hardwood dust - joiners
What cancer can Epstein Barr virus cause?
nasopharyngeal cancer
What cancer can HPV virus cause?
throat cancer - younger patients
What cancer can betel nut chewing cause?
throat cancer
What cancer can Hardwood dust cause?
sinus cancer
What is the gold standard investigation for H&N cancers?
fine needle aspiration
What is the first line investigation for H&N cancers?
ultrasound
What investigation should you NEVER do for H&N cancers?
bloods
What are the 5 Ts that can cause referred ear pain?
thyroid malignancy teeth - dental sepsis tongue cancer temporomandibular joint throat pathology
What is the most common kind of H&N cancer?
squamous
How do H&N cancers normally present?
painless lumps
What are the red flags for H&N cancers?
> 3 weeks of sore throat, hoarsness, stridor, difficulty swallowing, lump in neck, unilateral ear pain
How do HPV virus tumours present?
younger patient
smaller tumour
bigger nodes
better prognosis
Why do H&N cancers have lots of pain?
densly innervated with nerves
What would help a haemorrhage?
IM or IV midazdam - large dose
