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Head and Neck cancer part 1: diagnosis and classification Oliver Jones Stephanie Hackett Despoina Chatzistavrianou David Newsum Dental Update 2024 46:8, 707-709.
Specialist in Prosthodontics, Specialty Registrar in Restorative Dentistry, Birmingham Dental Hospital and University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, BDS, MFD RCS, MSc, MRCPS, MRD RCSEd, FDS(Rest Dent) RCSEd, Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
Head and neck cancer is a group of cancers that affects the oropharynx, nasopharynx, laryngopharynx and neck. With improving survival rates for patients, general dental practitioners (GDPs) are becoming increasingly likely to engage in the care of affected patients. Therefore, a sound clinical knowledge of the aetiology, treatment and rehabilitation for head and neck cancer is essential for all practitioners who may be involved in the care pathways for such patients.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: This paper provides an update on the prevalence, risk factors, diagnosis and classification of head and neck cancer.
Article
Head and neck cancer, and the treatment for it, can be one of the most socially disabling conditions and can leave patients with life-changing functional and aesthetic deficits. It is an umbrella term for all cancers in the region, including those of the oropharynx, nasopharynx, laryngopharynx and neck.1
Although oral cancer incidence has risen in recent years (a rise of 30% since the early 1990s),2 treatment modalities have become more successful and survival has improved.3 Therefore, GDPs are becoming increasingly likely to engage in the care pathway of affected patients.
Knowledge of the common risk factors for head and neck cancer can enable dental practitioners to consider the individualized risk levels of their patients and enable them to offer specific and tailored advice. An overview of risk factors for head and neck cancer is outlined in Table 1.
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