Head and neck cancer

Question 1

Head and neck cancer is an umbrella term. It typically includes what?

Answer 1

1. Oral cavity cancers
2. Cancers of the pharynx (including the oropharynx, hypopharynx and nasopharynx)
3. Cancers of the larynx

Question 2

What are the red flags of head and neck cancers and what do they require?

Answer 2

Greater than 3 weeks of:

• Sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Stridor
• Difficulty swallowing
• Lump in neck
• Unilateral ear pain
• Oral ulceration or mass
• Red, or red and white patches that are painful, swollen or bleeding

These require urgent (2-week) referral to ENT

Question 3

What is the most common type of head and neck cancers ?

Answer 3

Nasopharyngeal carcnioma - usually a Squamous cell cancer

Question 4

Where in the world is nasopharyngeal carcinoma common?

Answer 4

Rare in most parts of the world, apart from individuals from Southern China

Question 5

Infection with what is associated with causing nasopharyngeal carcinomas ?

Answer 5

EBV

Question 6

What are the clinical features of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma ?

Answer 6

Question 7

How is a nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosed ?

Answer 7

CT & MRI combined

Question 8

What is the 1st line treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma ?

Answer 8

Radiotherapy