Head Neck Oncology Glossary

A malignant salivary gland tumor known for perineural invasion and distant metastases.

Surgical removal of adenoids, often performed in pediatric head and neck oncology cases.

Additional treatment given after primary surgery to reduce recurrence risk.

A microvascular free flap harvested from the lateral thigh used for reconstruction of head and neck defects.

Mucosal fold extending from the arytenoid cartilage to the epiglottis, forming the lateral border of the laryngeal inlet...

Surgical removal of the arytenoid cartilage to improve airway caliber in bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Often combined...

Lung infection caused by inhalation of secretions or gastric contents, common after head and neck surgery.

Internal radiation therapy using radioactive sources placed directly in or near tumor tissue.

Life-threatening rupture of carotid artery, typically in irradiated neck cancer patients.

Enlargement of lymph nodes in the neck region. May be reactive, inflammatory, or neoplastic in head and neck oncology co...

Combined treatment modality using concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy for enhanced tumor control.

Post-operative complication involving leakage of lymphatic fluid, typically following neck dissection.

Tumor clearance of less than 5mm from the edge of resected tissue.

Surgical division of the anterior or posterior vocal cord commissure, often for tumor access.

En bloc surgical removal of primary tumor involving multiple anatomic structures or tissue planes. Often includes combin...

Surgical removal of part or all of a vocal cord, typically for early laryngeal cancer.

Fibrous membrane connecting the cricoid cartilage to the hyoid bone. No such structure exists anatomically - common erro...

Fibroelastic membrane between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, used for emergency airway access.

Emergency surgical airway procedure creating an opening through the cricothyroid membrane.

Measurement of how deeply tumor extends into underlying tissue from the surface.

Difficulty or discomfort in swallowing, a common complication of head and neck cancer treatment.

Abnormal voice production characterized by altered vocal quality, pitch, or loudness.

Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale (0-5) measuring patient functional status and ability to tolerate treatment. Cr...

Rare low-grade malignant salivary gland tumor with dual cell population. Characterized by epithelial cells surrounded by...