Deep neck infection as the main initial presentation of primary head and neck cancer
Journal
Journal of Laryngology and Otology
Journal Volume
120
Journal Issue
4
Pages
305-309
Date Issued
2006
Author(s)
Abstract
Objectives: Primary head and neck cancer and deep neck infection are not uncommon, but deep neck infection as the initial presentation of primary head and neck cancer is rare and these patients risk potential misdiagnosis. Materials and methods: The records of 301 patients with deep neck infection and 3337 patients with primary head and neck cancers from 1990 to 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with primary head and neck cancers who had deep neck infection as their initial presentation were enrolled. Results: Seven patients were identified (six men and one woman). The median age was 64 years. All patients presented with painful, erythematous neck swelling and all image studies showed abscess formation. Four abscesses received needle aspiration and three received surgical drainage, which yielded malignant cells in four specimens. The primary origins of malignancies were the nasopharynx (two patients), oropharynx (two patients), hypopharynx (one patient), parotid gland (one patient) and maxillary sinus (one patient). All patients had stage IV disease. Only three patients could receive curative therapy and only one patient was disease-free after three years. Conclusion: We suggest that detailed history-taking, complete examination of the ENT field and pathological study of the infected tissue must be performed for patients with deep neck infection to enable early detection and prompt treatment of any underlying malignancy. ? 2006 JLO (1984) Limited.
SDGs
Other Subjects
cisplatin; epirubicin; fluorouracil; folinic acid; mitomycin; abscess; adult; aged; article; aspiration; cancer cell; cancer combination chemotherapy; cancer diagnosis; cancer radiotherapy; cancer surgery; clinical article; diagnostic imaging; disease free survival; early diagnosis; erythema; female; head and neck cancer; head and neck infection; human; hypopharynx cancer; male; maxilla sinus cancer; medical record review; nasopharynx cancer; neck dissection; neck pain; oropharynx cancer; parotid gland cancer; retrospective study; surgical drainage; swelling; tonsil cancer; abscess; case report; computer assisted tomography; differential diagnosis; head and neck tumor; infection; maxilla tumor; metastasis; middle aged; neck; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; parotid gland tumor; prognosis; survival rate; Abscess; Adult; Aged; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Infection; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Maxillary Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Neck; Parotid Neoplasms; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Survival Rate; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Type
journal article