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Head and Neck Cancers

Matthew D Baer, MD and Jeanne M. Cawse-Lucas, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Diverse group of malignancies with many histologic types found within the mucosal surfaces of the upper aero-digestive tract. The vast majority (~90%) of head and neck cancers are sq...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Historical features vary based on site of tumor. Symptoms are nonspecific, making diagnosis difficult. 
  • Symptoms may include neck mass, sore throat, ear pain, dysphagia, chronic cough,...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Tobacco and alcohol cessation.

  • Treatment approach depends on functional status, goals of therapy, TNM staging, and other contextual factors

    • Single-modality treatment (surgery o...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Follow-up recommendations :

    • Role of routine surveillance imaging is not well-defined.

    • Regular follow up with comprehensive head and neck examination

    • Chest imaging as...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Kennel T, Garrel R, Costes V, et al. Head and neck carcinoma of unknown primary. Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis. 2019;136(3):185–192.

  • ...

CODES

ICD10

  • C14.0 Malignant neoplasm of pharynx, unspecified

  • C32.9 Malignant neoplasm of larynx, unspecified

  • C08.9 Malignant neoplasm of major salivary gland, unspecified

  • C11.9 Malignant neoplasm of nasop...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Signs and symptoms of head and neck cancers are often nonspecific necessitating a high index of suspicion based on identifiable risk factors.

  • A multidisciplinary approach with radiation...

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