Oropharynx Flashcards

1
Q

epidemiology & aetiology

A

50-70
rare
<1% of all cancer deaths
2.9: 1 [m:f]
poor oral hygiene
smoking: inhalation, risk increases as number and tar content increases
HPV: affects young people and non smokers, improves prognosis
mouthwash, high alcohol content
heavy consumption of alcohol

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2
Q

pathology

A

SCC [75%]
lymphomas
seen to protrude the throat

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3
Q

types of spread

A

direct
lymphatic

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4
Q

direct spread

A

early
affects pillars of forces and soft palate
later invasion of tongue and post pharyngeal wall

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5
Q

lymphatic spread

A

tonsils and pillars: jugulodigastric -> DCC
soft palate: retropharyngeal -> DCC
base of tongue: retropharyngeal -> DCC

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6
Q

what is the investigations

A

full medical history
physical exam: cervical lymphdenopathy, visible signs of primary
radiography: CT/MRI, soft tissue laterals
EUA: under GA for visualisation of the tumour and biopsy

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7
Q

staging

A

T1 = < 2cm
T2 = 2<x< 4cm
T3 = >4cm
T4 = invasion of surrounding structures (pterygoid muscles, mandible, hard palate, deep tongue muscles, larynx)

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8
Q

presentation

A

dysphagia
enlarged lymph nodes (20% are bi)
early
trismus: infiltration deep into para-pharyngeal space

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9
Q

what tumours is surgery for

A

T1/T2

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10
Q

what surgery takes place

A

radical tonsilectomy with partial mandibularectomy with ipsilateral node dissection
tissue deficit made up with a flap repair

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11
Q

what types of tumour have RT

A

SCC and lymphomas

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12
Q

what is the dose for SCC

A

66Gy in 33
55Gy in 20

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13
Q

what is the non lateral technique

A

IMRT
contralateral parotid and spinal cord are OAR
66Gy in 33
54Gy in 33

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14
Q

what is the CTV volumes for N0

A

CTV 1 = ipsilateral level II, bilateral retropharyngeal nodes @ oropharynx
CTV 2 = ipsilateral level III + IV, ipsilateral IB if ant pillar/ oral tongue is involved), contralateral level II-IV

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15
Q

what is the CTV volumes for N1-N3

A

CTV 1 = ipsi level II + involved nodes, bi retropharyngeal nodes at level of oropharynx
CTV 2 = ipsi uninvolved nodes at IB-V, ipsi supraclavicular nodes [selective], con level II-IV, con level IB [selective]

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16
Q

describe RT for lymphomas

A

PTV = waldeyers ring, LN both sides of the neck and base of skull
2 lat fields, covering nasopharynx, ant and post can be used
40Gy in 20

17
Q

soft palate EBRT for T1/T2

A

TV = GTV + 2cm
small lat parallel opposed fields
primary only
60-66Gy in 30-33

18
Q

soft palate EBRT for T3/T4

A

bi lateral neck irradiation
same technique as advanced tonsillar

19
Q

side effects

A

erythema
MDS
mucositis
sore throat
dysphagia
xerostomia
loss of taste
trismus

20
Q

prognosis for T1

21
Q

prognosis for T2,3,4

22
Q

why is PET/CT used

A

early identification of recurrence allow for better outcome and imporved survival

23
Q

what is the PET/CT protocol

A

MRI/PET-CT = 3 months
PET/CT = 6 months for oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and oral SCCs

24
Q

what is PET

A

it creates 3D images by radiotracers via IV, these are made up of carrier molecules which bond to a radioisotope. Cancerous tissue uptakes glucose, the isotope produces positrons which interact with electrons cause complete annhiliation, which releases two photons. PET detectors measure the photons and the information creates images

25
what radioisotope is used
FDG = modified type of glucose