Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancer Flashcards
1
Q
What is the type of cancer causing most upper aerodigestive tract cancers?
A
> 90% squamous cell carcinomas
2
Q
What are the risk factors for upper aerodigestive tract cancer?
A
- 80-90% tobacco exposure
- Alcohol, especially in dark spirits
- Viral EBV, common in SE Asian population
- Viral HPV, sexually transmitted
- UV light/radiation
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)
4
Q
How is a suspected upper aerodigestive tract cancer investigated?
A
- History - time course, alcohol and smoking
- FNA best diagnostic modality for all lumps
- CT head if FNA reveals something other than SCC (find primary)
- Staging important - prognosis, resectability and extent of spread.
5
Q
What is the management for upper aerodigestive tract cancer?
A
- If in nodes - 50% chance of cure. If metastasised - 0%.
- Ideally surgical excision with 1cm margin
- Adjuvant radiotherapy, chemotherapy
- Palliative care
- Depends on stage