Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Head and Neck > Head and neck cancer > Flashcards

Head and neck cancer Flashcards

1
Q

What is a head and neck cancer?

A

Cancer affecting the upper aero-digestive structures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are some examples of head and neck cancers?

A

Mouth cancer

Nose cancer

Nasal cavity cancer

Pharyngeal cancer

Laryngeal cancer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How common are head and neck cancers compared to other types of cancers?

A

Less common

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What histological type of cancer are head and neck cancers usually?

A

Squamous cell carcinoma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Why are head and cancers usually squamous cell carcinomas histologically?

A

Because most of the structures are lined with stratified squamous epithelium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which head and neck cancers are the most common?

A

Oral cavity

Oropharynx

Larynx

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the risk factors of head and neck cancer?

A

Heavy alcohol

Heavy tobacco use

Age

Epstein-Barr virus infection

HPV infection

Chewing betel quid

Long term exposure to sunlight

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Epstein-Barr virus infection is associated with what type of head and neck cancer the most?

A

Nasopharyngeal cancer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

HPV infection is assocuated with what type of head and neck cancer the most?

A

Oropharyngeal cancer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the common signs and symptoms of head and neck cancers?

A

Painful mucosal ulceraton within oral cavity

Hoarse voice

Dysphagia, odynophagia

Otalgia

Cervical lymphadenopathy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is meant by odynophagia?

A

Painful swallowing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What causes otalgia in head and neck cancers?

A

Referred pain to the ear

because sensory innervation is by the facial nerve

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What do head and cancers meastasise to?

A

Lymph nodes of neck

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What investigations are done in order to stage a head and neck cancer?

A

Biopsy

CT/MRI imaging

Endoscopy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the staging system for head and neck cancers?

A

TNM tumour node metastases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the stages of head and cancer with the TNM staging system?

A

Stages 1-4

17
Q

How does the prognosis change with stages 1 to stages 4 of head and cancers?

A

Worse prognosis

18
Q

Why are head and neck cancers staged?

A

Affects treatment

19
Q

What are the different types of treatment for head and neck cancers?

A

Surgery

Radiotherapy

Chemoradiotherapy

20
Q

When is surgery done to treat a head and cancer?

A

Early stage cancer

21
Q

When is chemoradiotherapy used to treat a head and neck cancer?

A

Later stage cancer

22
Q

What does the type of surgery done to treat head and neck cancers depend on?

A

The size of the cancer

The spread of the cancer

Head and Neck (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions