Malignancy of salivary glands, skin cancer, and thyroid gland is not covered in this chapter, although these malignancies can also be classified as H&N cancer
Commonly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
Pharyngeal cancer comprises 3 types
Nasopharyngeal
Non-HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC)
Hypopharyngeal
Tobacco and alcohol related
High-risk HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer (HR-HPV OPC) is separate category
HPV types 16 and 18 most common
Younger patients, less tobacco exposure, better prognosis
Unknown primary H&N cancer
Lymphadenopathy without discernible primary lesion despite examination, imaging
IMAGING
Nuclear Medicine Findings
CT Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
Creff G et al: Evaluation of the prognostic value of FDG PET/CT parameters for patients with surgically treated head and neck cancer: A systematic review. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. ePub, 2020
Sanli Y et al: Update 2018: 18F-FDG PET/CT and PET/MRI in head and neck cancer. Clin Nucl Med. 43(12):e439-e452, 2018
Szyszko TA et al: PET/CT and PET/MRI in head and neck malignancy. Clin Radiol. 73(1):60-9, 2018
Hoang JK et al: Evaluation of cervical lymph nodes in head and neck cancer with CT and MRI: tips, traps, and a systematic approach. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 200(1):W17-25, 2013
Related Anatomy
Loading...
Related Differential Diagnoses
Loading...
References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Top Differential Diagnoses
Diagnostic Checklist
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Head and neck (H&N) cancer
Malignancies arising from upper aerodigestive tract (UADT)
Malignancy of salivary glands, skin cancer, and thyroid gland is not covered in this chapter, although these malignancies can also be classified as H&N cancer
Commonly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
Pharyngeal cancer comprises 3 types
Nasopharyngeal
Non-HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC)
Hypopharyngeal
Tobacco and alcohol related
High-risk HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer (HR-HPV OPC) is separate category
HPV types 16 and 18 most common
Younger patients, less tobacco exposure, better prognosis
Unknown primary H&N cancer
Lymphadenopathy without discernible primary lesion despite examination, imaging
IMAGING
Nuclear Medicine Findings
CT Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
Creff G et al: Evaluation of the prognostic value of FDG PET/CT parameters for patients with surgically treated head and neck cancer: A systematic review. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. ePub, 2020
Sanli Y et al: Update 2018: 18F-FDG PET/CT and PET/MRI in head and neck cancer. Clin Nucl Med. 43(12):e439-e452, 2018
Szyszko TA et al: PET/CT and PET/MRI in head and neck malignancy. Clin Radiol. 73(1):60-9, 2018
Hoang JK et al: Evaluation of cervical lymph nodes in head and neck cancer with CT and MRI: tips, traps, and a systematic approach. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 200(1):W17-25, 2013
STATdx includes over 200,000 searchable images, including x-ray, CT, MR, and ultrasound images. To access all images, please log in or subscribe.