Head & Neck Cancer Flashcards
Name the risk factors for head and neck cancer
Tobacco Alcohol Viruses Betel Nut Hardwood
Describe viruses as a risk factor for head and neck cancer
HPV - common in west, usually on back of tongue and tonsils
EBV - associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma common in south china and presents with glue ear due to obstruction of eustachian tube
Where does cancer linked to hardwood typically occur?
Sinuses
How do head and neck cancers present?
Dysphonia Dysphagia Odynophagia Otalgia Neck lump Painless growing lymph nodes - usually mets Airway obstruction
How will a tumour in the piriform fossa present?
Unilateral pain on swallowing that radiated to the ear
What cancer is most common in the head and neck?
Squamous cell carcinoma originating from skin
What is the most common cancer in younger people?
Lymphoma
Which lymph nodes do supra-glottic tumours spread to?
Superior deep cervical nodes
Which lymph nodes do sub-glottic tumours spread to?
Paratracheal nodes
How are head and neck cancers investigated?
Ultrasound +/- FNA
CT to show extent of disease
MRI useful for soft tissue
PET scan for mets
How are T1/T2 laryngeal cancers managed?
Transoral laser surgery and radiotherapy
How are T3/T4 laryngeal cancers managed?
Partial/total laryngecotmy and chemo/radiotherapy
How are T1/T2 oropharyngeal cancers managed?
Chemo-Radiotherapy and transoral surgery
How are T3/T4 oropharyngeal cancers managed?
Chemo-radiotherapy
How is nasopharyngeal cancer treated?
Chemo-Radiotherapy
