Head and Neck Cancer Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Head and Neck Cancer Deck (26)
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1
Q

What are the two biggest risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck?

A

Smoking and alcohol

2
Q

Which age group of people tend to be affected by squamous cell carcinoma?

A

Older people

3
Q

What is responsible for causing nasopharyngeal carcinoma? Where in the world is this commonly seen?

A

EBV- seen in China

4
Q

Who does HPV associated cancer tend to affect? How do they get this?

A

Younger people, sexually transmitted

5
Q

How will an HPV associated cancer in a young person present?

A

Small tumour, large lymph nodes

6
Q

Where in the head and neck does HPV associated cancer tend to affect?

A

Tonsils and tongue base

7
Q

Chewing of betel nuts predisposes to cancer where?

A

Oral cancer (mouth)

8
Q

Hardwood exposure e.g. joiners predisposes to what type of cancer?

A

Paranasal sinus cancer

9
Q

If you suspect a head and neck cancer, you should always do a thorough examination of where? Why?

A

The mouth- especially the sides as the most serious pathologies occur on the buccal mucosa and sides of the tongue

10
Q

Neck lumps where move when you swallow?

A

Thyroid

11
Q

What are some investigations which can be used for head and neck cancers?

A

Endoscopy, FNA, ultrasound, CT, MRI

12
Q

Why is an FNA used in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer?

A

Cells are taken for cytology

13
Q

Ultrasound is an especially useful test for pathologies where?

A

Neck

14
Q

CT is useful test for assessing pathologies where?

A

At a bony/soft tissue interface

15
Q

A CT of where else in the body is always taken as part of the workup for head and neck cancer?

A

CT chest

16
Q

What type of anaesthetic should be used for investigations in the a) mouth? b) throat?

A

a) Local b) General

17
Q

Are blood tests useful for head and neck cancer?

A

Not really

18
Q

The majority of head and neck cancers are what type?

A

Squamous cell carcinoma

19
Q

What other type of cancer can occur in the head and neck apart from squamous cell?

A

Adenocarcinoma

20
Q

Apart from head and neck cancer, what are some other causes for voice changes?

A

Lung cancer, aortic aneurysm (pressing on the recurrent laryngeal nerve)

21
Q

Tumours of the parotid/submandibular glands affect which nerve?

A

Facial nerve

22
Q

What is a lump in the left supraclavicular fossa most likely to be?

A

Lymph in the thoracic duct- can be a cancer from anywhere

23
Q

If parathyroid glands are removed, what is the immediate problem?

A

Hypocalcaemia

24
Q

What clinical signs can be seen if the larynx or trachea are compressed by a cancer?

A

Stertor and then stridor

25
Q

What does noisy breathing with a normal SaO2 suggest?

A

Compensation- the airway is compromised

26
Q

What strain of HPV is most commonly the cause of head and neck cancer?

A

Type 16