Head and Neck Cancer Flashcards
What are the two biggest risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck?
Smoking and alcohol
Which age group of people tend to be affected by squamous cell carcinoma?
Older people
What is responsible for causing nasopharyngeal carcinoma? Where in the world is this commonly seen?
EBV- seen in China
Who does HPV associated cancer tend to affect? How do they get this?
Younger people, sexually transmitted
How will an HPV associated cancer in a young person present?
Small tumour, large lymph nodes
Where in the head and neck does HPV associated cancer tend to affect?
Tonsils and tongue base
Chewing of betel nuts predisposes to cancer where?
Oral cancer (mouth)
Hardwood exposure e.g. joiners predisposes to what type of cancer?
Paranasal sinus cancer
If you suspect a head and neck cancer, you should always do a thorough examination of where? Why?
The mouth- especially the sides as the most serious pathologies occur on the buccal mucosa and sides of the tongue
Neck lumps where move when you swallow?
Thyroid
What are some investigations which can be used for head and neck cancers?
Endoscopy, FNA, ultrasound, CT, MRI
Why is an FNA used in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer?
Cells are taken for cytology
Ultrasound is an especially useful test for pathologies where?
Neck
CT is useful test for assessing pathologies where?
At a bony/soft tissue interface
A CT of where else in the body is always taken as part of the workup for head and neck cancer?
CT chest
What type of anaesthetic should be used for investigations in the a) mouth? b) throat?
a) Local b) General
Are blood tests useful for head and neck cancer?
Not really
The majority of head and neck cancers are what type?
Squamous cell carcinoma
What other type of cancer can occur in the head and neck apart from squamous cell?
Adenocarcinoma
Apart from head and neck cancer, what are some other causes for voice changes?
Lung cancer, aortic aneurysm (pressing on the recurrent laryngeal nerve)
Tumours of the parotid/submandibular glands affect which nerve?
Facial nerve
What is a lump in the left supraclavicular fossa most likely to be?
Lymph in the thoracic duct- can be a cancer from anywhere
If parathyroid glands are removed, what is the immediate problem?
Hypocalcaemia
What clinical signs can be seen if the larynx or trachea are compressed by a cancer?
Stertor and then stridor
What does noisy breathing with a normal SaO2 suggest?
Compensation- the airway is compromised
What strain of HPV is most commonly the cause of head and neck cancer?
Type 16
