Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancer Flashcards

1
Q

What is the type of cancer causing most upper aerodigestive tract cancers?

A

> 90% squamous cell carcinomas

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2
Q

What are the risk factors for upper aerodigestive tract cancer?

A
  1. 80-90% tobacco exposure
  2. Alcohol, especially in dark spirits
  3. Viral EBV, common in SE Asian population
  4. Viral HPV, sexually transmitted
  5. UV light/radiation
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3
Q

What is this a presentation of?
>4 weeks of: hoarse voice, lump in neck, non-healing ulcer lesion. Also dysphagia/odynophagia/aspiration, unilateral otalgia/deafness.

A

Upper aerodigestive tract cancer (urgent 2ww referral to ENT surgeon)

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4
Q

How is a suspected upper aerodigestive tract cancer investigated?

A
  1. History - time course, alcohol and smoking
  2. FNA best diagnostic modality for all lumps
  3. CT head if FNA reveals something other than SCC (find primary)
  4. Staging important - prognosis, resectability and extent of spread.
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5
Q

What is the management for upper aerodigestive tract cancer?

A
  1. If in nodes - 50% chance of cure. If metastasised - 0%.
  2. Ideally surgical excision with 1cm margin
  3. Adjuvant radiotherapy, chemotherapy
  4. Palliative care
  5. Depends on stage
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