Head Neck Oncology Glossary

Rare malignant neuroectodermal tumor arising from the olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity.

Tumor growth beyond the capsule of a lymph node, indicating aggressive disease.

Vascularized bone graft from the fibula used for mandibular reconstruction in head and neck cancer surgery.

Molecular concept describing widespread mucosal changes in the upper aerodigestive tract from carcinogenic exposure. Exp...

Severe cramping pain in the parotid region with the first bite of each meal. Complication following surgery near the dee...

Surgical technique using tissue transfer with microvascular anastomosis to reconstruct defects after tumor resection.

Abnormal sweating and flushing in the preauricular region during eating following parotidectomy. Results from aberrant n...

Surgical removal of part or all of the tongue to treat oral cavity malignancies.

Surgical removal of one half of the larynx while preserving voice and swallowing function.

Surgical removal of half of the mandible, typically performed for extensive mandibular tumors.

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma associated with human papillomavirus infection, particularly HPV-16.

Surgical technique to elevate and secure the hyoid bone, often used in airway reconstruction.

Twelfth cranial nerve controlling tongue movement; injury causes tongue deviation and speech/swallowing difficulties.

Advanced radiation therapy technique that modulates beam intensity to spare normal tissues while targeting tumors.

Branch of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve, often at risk during maxillofacial oncology surgery.

Major cervical vein; sacrifice during radical neck dissection affects venous drainage and may cause complications.

Functional status assessment tool using percentage scores (0-100%) to evaluate cancer patient activity levels. Alternati...

Thickened, hyperkeratinized epithelial lesion that may represent premalignant change in head and neck mucosa.

Surgical removal of the larynx, typically performed for advanced laryngeal cancer.

Benign lymphatic malformation commonly occurring in the head and neck region, particularly in pediatric patients.

Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma with prominent lymphoid infiltrate. Strongly associated with Epstein-Barr viru...

Nuclear medicine imaging study to map lymphatic drainage patterns.

Tumor cell penetration into lymphatic or blood vessels, indicating increased metastatic potential.

Branch of facial nerve controlling lower lip movement; injury causes asymmetric smile and lip incompetence.