Head and Neck Cancer

Question 1

Where do head and neck cancers originate from?

Answer 1

lining of upper aerodigestive tract

Question 2

What is the cell type of origin in head and neck cancers?

Answer 2

squamous cell (except paranasal/salivary gland are mixed cell type)

Question 3

In head and neck cancer, patients may present with an ___ ___.

Answer 3

occult primary like a neck mass

Question 4

Who is affected more by head and neck cancer – men or women?

Answer 4

men (2x)

Question 5

mean age of diagnosis for head and neck cancer

Answer 5

60

Question 6

T/F: Most head and neck cancers are NOT preventable.

Answer 6

False. Most ARE!

Question 7

most frequently occurring site in head and neck cancer

Answer 7

tongue in 21 percent of cases

Question 8

How do the outcomes of black patients compare to white patients with head and neck cancer and why?

Answer 8

blacks have poorer survival; HPV-16 is associated with a better prognosis and blacks are affected by this less

Question 9

85% of all head and neck cancers are related to…

Answer 9

tobacco use

Question 10

What are the risk factors for head and neck cancer?

Answer 10

tobacco use (MOST!)
alcohol abuse, sun exposure, betel nut use, oral HPV, severe or uncontrolled GERD, exposure to EBV

Question 11

signs and symptoms of head and neck cancer

Answer 11

non-healing sore in mouth, persistent pain, white patches or lumps in mouth, cheek thickening, difficulty chewing/swallowing/moving tongue, dysphagia/odonophagia, sensation of something in throat, nasal obstruction/congestion, numbness, bad breath, change in voice, loose dentures

Question 12

diagnosis and evaluation for head and neck cancer

Answer 12

PE: palpate for lumps and masses, inspect for abnormalities using light and mirror
blood and urine tests for EBV and HPV
endoscopy
biopsy
imaging

Question 13

What are the three primary treatment modalities for head and neck cancer?

Answer 13

surgery, radiation, chemotherapy

Question 14

What is the advantage of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy?

Answer 14

can reduce long term toxicity by reducing radiation exposure to salivary glands, temporal lobes, and auditory/optic structure

Question 15

Systemic chemotherapy may be given WITH radiation therapy (___) or after it (____).

Answer 15

chemoradiation

induction

Question 16

What is the standard systemic chemotherapy given to fit patients with locally advanced disease?

Answer 16

concurrent cisplatin and radiotherapy

Question 17

late effects of head and neck cancer

Answer 17

high morbidity treatments could affect breathing, eating, voice, and appearance
thyroid function
xerostomia = dry mouth
chronic fatigue
hearing loss/renal dysfunction

Question 18

T/F: Definitive surgery or radiation therapy can cure early stage cancers

Answer 18

True

Question 19

Do head and neck cancers have high morbidity?

Answer 19

Yes (and carry risks for altered quality of life)