Head and Neck Cancer Flashcards
Locations of head and neck cancers
Nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, mouth, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx
Risk factors
Smoking, chewing tobacco, chewing betel quid, alcohol, HPV, EBV, occupations such as working with wood or nickel
Red flag symptoms
Lump in mouth or lip, unexplained ulceration lasting more than 3 weeks, erythroplakia, erythroleukoplakia, persistent neck lump, unexplained hoarseness of voice, unexplained thyroid lump
Treatment options of head and neck cancer
Chemo, radiotherapy, surgery, targeted cancer drugs, palliative care
Monoclonal antibodies used to treat squamous cell carcinomas
Cetuximab
Common histology of head and neck cancers
Squamous cell carcinomas
Malignant salivary gland tumours
Adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma, SCC
Benign salivary gland tumours
Pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin’s tumour
Treatment options for salivary gland tumours
Excisions of the parotid glands or submandibular or sublingual glands. Radiation therapy
How many times can patients have radiotherapy
Only once as it is too damaging to the corneal and spinal cord cells
Features of pyriform fossa cancer
Often silentm, otalgia, pain on swallowing, node in neck, hoarseness
Presentation of post cricoid carcinoma
Mostly in women, related to Patterson-Kelly syndrome and presents with true dysphagia
Signs of parotid tumour malignancy
90% are benign, but if they grow fast, cause facial nerve palsy and are painful then they are malignant
How often are submandibular tumours malignant
Over 50%
