HEAD & NECK CANCER Flashcards
What does head and neck cancer include?
Oral cavity cancers
Cancers of the pharynx (including the oropharynx, hypopharynx and nasopharynx)
Cancers of the larynx
NICE suspected cancer pathway referral criteria for ?laryngeal cancer?
people aged 45 years and over with:
Persistent unexplained hoarseness, or
An unexplained lump in the neck.
NICE suspected cancer pathway referral criteria for ?oral cancer?
people with either:
Unexplained ulceration in the oral cavity lasting for more than 3 weeks, or
A persistent and unexplained lump in the neck .
for assessment for possible oral cancer by a dentist in people who have either:
A lump on the lip or in the oral cavity, or
A red or red and white patch in the oral cavity consistent with erythroplakia or erythroleukoplakia.
NICE suspected cancer pathway referral criteria for ?thyroid cancer?
people with an unexplained thyroid lump.
What is the field of cancerisation effect?
a biological process in which large areas of cells at a tissue surface or within an organ are affected by carcinogenic alterations.
Why % of pt with head and neck cancers have a second primary malignancy? Why?
1 in 10
Due to the field of cancerisation effect
Whats the most common site for head & neck malignancy?
Oral
Most common type of head and neck cancer?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Presentation of laryngeal cancer?
Hoarseness
Throat pain
Dysphagia
Method of diagnosis for laryngeal cancer?
laryngoscopy and biopsy
How does oral cancer present?
persistent ulceration, a mass, or abnormal bleeding.
It can present as advanced disease with regional lymphadenopathy.
How do we diagnose oral cancer?
Some recognised visually but definitive diagnosis requires a biopsy
How does thyroid cancer present?
Nodule within the thyroid gland or a diffuse thyroid swelling
May also present with regional lymphadenopathy
Whats the most common type of thyroid cancer?
Papillary
Who is papillary thyroid cancer most common in?
Young females
How do we diagnose thyroid cancer?
Definitively by biopsy
Risk factors for head and neck cancers?
Smoking
Chewing tobacco
Chewing betel nut
Alcohol
HPV
EBV
Which thyroid cancer has the best prognosis?
Papillary thyroid cancer
Whats the most common salivary gland for a tumour?
Parotid gland
What are the most common benign tumours of salivary glands?
Pleomorphic adenomas
Symptoms of maligannt salivary gland tumours?
Rapidly growing painful mass with overlying skin ulceration
Facial palsy
How does a benign pleomorphic adenoma present?
Painless, slowly enlarging lump in the retromandibular region
Why must benign pleomorphic adenomas be surgically removed?
As they have a 10% malignant transformation potential
Whats the most common salivary gland cancer?
Mucoepidermoid tumour - most commonly in parotid gland
