Head & Neck Cancer Flashcards
What are the high risk genotypes of HPV (4)
16
18
33
35
What is the mechanism by which HPV leads to cancer?
E6 oncoprotein interacts with p53. causing degradation. Therefore losing the tumor suppression of p53.
E7 protein interacts with Rb, leading to cell cycle activation and proliferation, upregulating p16 protein expression
What primary site of H&N cancer is HPV most closely related to?
Oropharyngeal
How does the survival of HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer compare to HPV negative oropharyngeal cancer?
HPV+ have better survival due to less locoregional failure
What is the difference in etiology/pathology between keratinizing and non-keratinizing nasoparynx cancer?
Keratinizing usually assocaited with tobacco and low prevalence of EBV.
Non-keratinizing has high prevalence of EBV
What is the preferred treatment approach for early oropharynx cancer?
XRT +/- systemic therapy
What is the preferred treatment approach for early oral cavity cancer?
Surgery
What is the preferred treatment approach for early laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer?
ChemoRT for organ preservation
What is the preferred treatment approach for early nasopharyngeal cancer?
XRT + systemic therapy
What is the most common pattern of failure for early H&N cancer?
Locoregional failure
Patient with oral cavity cancer, node negative. Patient undergoes surgery to remove the primary followed by post-operative radiation. He is now disease free. Is there anything else that can be added to improve his survival?
Elective neck dissection
Patient with locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer receives primary RT. What can be used to determine if a patient should get a neck dissection?
PET/CT. If there are residual LNs seen on PET - then should go for neck dissection.
How does Cetuximab + RT compare to RT alone in locally advanced H&N cancer in terms of LR control, OS, and distant mets?
Improved LR control and OS. No reduction in distant mets
How does Cetuximab + RT compare to Cisplatin + RT in HPV+ non-metastatic H&N cancer?
Cetuximab + RT had worse OS compared to Cisplatin + RT
What are poor risk features found during surgical resection for patients with H&N cancer? (5)
Extra-capsular extension of LN
Insufficient (<5 mm) or positive margins
Perineural invasion
LN+ level 4 or 5 in oral cavity or oropharynx
VTE
What is the role of induction chemotherapy in advanced H&N cancer?
Reduces the risk of distant mets, but OS is questionable. Can be considered for poor prognosis, bulky disease in lower neck
In locally advanced laryngeal cancer, what is the survival difference and laryngeal preservation in concurrent chemoRT vs RT alone vs induction chemotherapy followed by RT?
All 3 have similar OS. Laryngeal preservation is more common in concurrent RT, but laryngectomy-free survivalw as similar between induction chemo and chemoRT
Which patients with locally advanced laryngeal cancer are appropriate for larynx preservation? (3)
Good PS
No contraindications for chemo
No T4 tumors with cartilage invasion
For a patient with locally advanced H&N cancer who receive up front surgery, what treatment could be offered in adjuvant setting?
Concurrent chemoRT with cisplatin Q3 weeks for 3 cycles
In adjuvant chemoradiation, what is the difference between weekly cisplatin and Q3 week cisplatin?
Weekly is non-inferior and better tolerated