"While the term head and neck squamous cell carcinoma may include any SCC found above the clavicles, common usage often focuses on those of mucosal origin, i.e., squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract."
"Human papillomavirus (HPV) is increasingly being recognised as an important risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, having been recognised for some time in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Some types are more strongly implicated (e.g. types 16, 18, and 31). Some anatomic sites are more strongly associated with HPV infection, chiefly the oropharynx, including palatine tonsils. HPV may be primarily responsible for up to 30% of oropharyngeal SCC, and 16% of hypopharyngeal SCC 1,2."
"Human papillomavirus (HPV) is increasingly being recognised as an important risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, having been recognised for some time in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Some types are more strongly implicated (e.g. types 16, 18, and 31). Some anatomic sites are more strongly associated with HPV infection, chiefly the oropharynx, including palatine tonsils. HPV may be primarily responsible for up to 30% of oropharyngeal SCC, and 16% of hypopharyngeal SCC 1,2."
"classical exophytic growth pattern, better prognosis than conventional SCC"
"worse prognosis than conventional SCC, subset are radiation-induced"
"frequent metastases, similar prognosis to conventional SCC"
"more aggressive than conventional SCC with propensity for recurrence"
"histologically similar to nasopharyngeal carcinoma and often EBV positive"
"Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas are staged using the TNM staging system, which is differently defined by primary tumour site:"
"Post-treatment response assessment and surveillance is most commonly performed with contrast-enhanced CT, preferably with FDG PET at least at the first (baseline) exam. Standardised reporting templates in this setting have been proposed by the American College of Radiology (NI-RADS)."
"Because of differing natural histories, HPV-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancers are staged and treated differently. HPV associated HNSCC tend to occur in younger patients and are categorised by rapid growth and early nodal spread. However, they are associated with a better response to conventional chemo-radiotherapy treatments and improved prognosis 5,7. The estimated 5-year survival for oropharyngeal SCC is 90% in HPV positive cases, compared with 40% in HPV negative SCCs 7."
"While the term head and neck squamous cell carcinoma may include any SCC found above the clavicles, common usage often focuses on those of mucosal origin, i.e., squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract."
"Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas are sometimes considered separately, although these tumours, when large or neglected, can penetrate the skull or facial skeleton."
"peak incidence between 50-70 years of age"
"Human papillomavirus (HPV) is increasingly being recognised as an important risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, having been recognised for some time in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Some types are more strongly implicated (e.g. types 16, 18, and 31). Some anatomic sites are more strongly associated with HPV infection, chiefly the oropharynx, including palatine tonsils. HPV may be primarily responsible for up to 30% of oropharyngeal SCC, and 16% of hypopharyngeal SCC 1,2."
"HPV-16 DNA has been isolated in up to 50% of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas when their insertion into host cells results in deactivation of p53 and Rb genes, and overexpression of p16 gene 1,5. Overexpression of p16 is used as a surrogate histopathologic marker for HPV infection unless molecular testing (polymerase chain reaction for HPV DNA) is available."
Expected headings
"Diagnosis"
"Staging"
"Follow-up"
"Treatment"
"Prognosis"
"HPV (especially types 16, 18 and 31: see below)"
"Tumours are graded as well, moderately or poorly differentiated and there are also several histological variants with a range of clinical behaviours: 9"
"In the setting of a patient presenting with a neck mass, ultrasound and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration with cytology are invaluable."
"Radiology has a great deal to offer patients with HNSCC. As imaging findings are site-specific, only general principles are described below. There are three main scenarios in which radiology is involved:"