Head & Neck Cancers

Question 1

T/F: females are more prone to head and neck cancers

Answer 1

F: males are- 4th commonest cancer

Question 2

which is more common- larynx cancer or oropharynx

Answer 2

larynx cancer then oropharynx

Question 3

risk factors for H&N cancers

Answer 3

tobacco, alcohol, viruses

Question 4

HPV causes ______ cancer, EBV causes _____ cancer

Answer 4

oropharynx, nasopharynx

Question 5

types of H&N cancers…

Answer 5

squamous- most common
nasopharyngeal
laryngeal carcinoma: smoking, alcohol 
oropharyngeal carcinoma: 'west', HPV  
oral cavity carcinoma

Question 6

LN spread of H&N cancers

Answer 6

supra-glottic: cervical LNs
glottic: present on cords- voice changes
sub-glottic: paratracheal LNs

Question 7

s/s of H&N cancers

Answer 7

voice, pain on swallowing, mass, tonsillar swelling, lymphadenopathy

Question 8

s/s specific to nasopharyngeal cancer

Answer 8

unilateral ear symptoms, nasal symptoms (epistaxis), 70% have nack masses, CN involvement (3,4, V2, V3, 6)

Question 9

red flags of H&N?

Answer 9

dysphonia, dysphagia, odynophagia, neck lump, otalgia, airway obstruction

Question 10

ix for H&N?

Answer 10

USS & FNA for Lymph nodes, biopsy/endoscopy, MRI for soft tissues, CT for bone

Question 11

mx of H&N cancers

Answer 11

laryngeal: early (T1 & T2)- transoral surgery, radio. late (T3, T4)- partial/ total laryngectomy, chemo and radio
oropharyngeal: chemo-radio, transoral surgery
nasopharyngeal: chemo, radio. 5yr survival is good

remove nodes

Question 12

what are some salivary gland masses

Answer 12

parotid gland- most benign most of which are pleomorphic adenomas

malignant- submandibular/ sublingual (mucoepidermoid carcinoma)

Question 13

ix for salivary gland mass

Answer 13

USS > FNA > CT > MRI