Overview
The term "head and neck cancer" refers to a variety of malignancies that affect the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses, and mouth.
Squamous cell carcinomas make up the majority of head and neck malignancies. The cells of the epithelium, a small layer of surface tissue, are where this form of oncology starts. In some regions of the head and neck, a layer of moist tissue known as the mucosa lies directly underneath the epithelium. It is known as carcinoma in situ if the cancer is only present in the squamous layer. It is referred to as invasive squamous cell carcinoma if the cancer has spread further into the tissues than this cell layer.
If head and neck cancer starts in the salivary glands, the tumor is usually classified as adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, or mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
Types of head and neck cancer:
There are five basic forms of head and neck cancer, each called by the location of the disease in the body.
Laryngeal cancer and hypopharyngeal carcinoma are two types of cancer. The larynx is an essential component of the vocal system. This tubular organ located in the neck is responsible for breathing, speaking, and swallowing. It is positioned at the top of the windpipe, also known as the trachea. The lower region of the throat, encompassed by the larynx, is known as the hypopharynx (oesophagus).
Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer. The nasal cavity is the area behind the nose that allows air to enter the throat. The paranasal sinuses are pockets of air that surround the nasal cavity.
Nasopharyngeal cancer. The nasopharynx is the air chamber behind the nose at the top of the throat.
Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer. The oral cavity consists of the mouth and tongue. The oropharynx is the area of the throat between the tonsils and the tip of the vocal apparatus.
Cancer of the salivary gland. Saliva is produced by the salivary gland. Saliva is a fluid released in the mouth that includes enzymes that help break down meals.
Staging and classification:
The TNM classification of primary cancer is the most commonly used for head and neck tumors. The gradation of the symbol T is given in the description of individual tumor localizations. In view of the increasing surgical activity, often quite justified even with advanced tumors, the stage of the T4 process
It is customary to divide into T4a - resectable tumors, T4b - non-resectable locally advanced tumors and T4c - locally advanced tumors in the presence of distant metastases.
To assess the prevalence of the tumor, histological verification of the process is necessary. The characteristic of regional and distant metastasis (symbols N and M) is the same for all localizations of malignant tumors in the head and neck, except for tumors of the thyroid gland and skin. We present these classifications.
N - regional lymph nodes.
Nx - There is inadequate information to evaluate regional lymph nodes.
N0 - no signs of metastatic lesion of regional lymph nodes.
N1 - metastases in one lymph node on the side of the lesion before3 cmin the largest dimension.
N2 - metastases in one lymph node on the side of the lesion before6 cmin greatest dimension or metastases in several lymph nodes on the side of the lesion before6 cmin the greatest dimension, or metastases in the lymph nodes of the neck on both sides, or from the opposite side to6 cm in the largest dimension.
N2a - metastases in one lymph node on the side of the lesion before6 cmin the largest dimension.
N2b - metastases in several lymph nodes on the side of the lesion before6 cmin the largest dimension.
N2c - metastases in the lymph nodes on both sides or from the opposite side to6 cm in the largest dimension.
N3 - metastases in the lymph nodes more6 cmin the largest dimension.
In the prognosis of the disease, the level of localization of the affected lymph nodes is undoubtedly important, therefore, the U index is used to designate the affected regional lymph nodes of the upper third of the neck, and the L index is used for the lower part of the neck. The conditional border between them runs at the level of the lower edge of the cricoid cartilage of the larynx. With the lower variant of the location of metastases, the survival of patients is significantly lower than with the upper variant.
M - Distant metastases.
Mx - it is impossible to establish the presence of distant metastases.
M0 - no distant metastases.
M1 - there are distant metastases.