Flashcards on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Student Guide
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Oropharyngeal cancer
23 cards
Card 1
Question: What anatomical sites are included in the oropharynx for oropharyngeal cancer?
Answer: Soft palate, tonsils, base of tongue, posterior pharyngeal wall, and vallecula.
Card 2
Question: How common are malignant lesions of the oropharynx among all malignancies?
Answer: They are uncommon and represent fewer than 1% of all malignancies.
Card 3
Question: What are the main etiologic factors for oropharyngeal cancer?
Answer: Smoking and alcohol exposure; a recent increase in young nonsmokers/nondrinkers is associated with HPV infection.
Card 4
Question: How do oropharyngeal tumors generally behave histologically and in terms of regional spread?
Answer: They tend to be more poorly differentiated and have a higher propensity for early regional metastases, especially lesions of the base of tongue and to
Card 5
Question: What proportion of lingual squamous cell carcinomas arise in the base of tongue?
Answer: Base of tongue lesions account for 25–30% of all lingual squamous cell carcinomas.
Card 6
Question: Why are most base of tongue tumors T2–T3 at presentation?
Answer: Because of their deep infiltrative nature and the location, most lesions present at T2–T3.
Card 7
Question: What is the frequency of clinically positive regional nodes at initial diagnosis for base of tongue cancer?
Answer: The majority of patients present with clinically positive regional nodes.
Card 8
Question: In base of tongue cancer, how often does bilateral or contralateral nodal disease occur?
Answer: Bilateral and contralateral nodal disease occurs in 20–30% of cases.
Card 9
Question: What are the single-modality treatment options for Stage I–II base of tongue cancers, and how do outcomes compare?
Answer: Stage I and II cancers can be treated with either surgery or radiation as single modality therapy, with similar rates of local control and survival.
Card 10
Question: What surgical advances improve access to base of tongue lesions and may increase acceptance of surgery?
Answer: The use of lasers and robotic assistance to improve access.