Pathology of head and neck cancer II: Mesenchymal and lymphoid tumors

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Whereas head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is primarily a disease of middle age and older adults, malignant mesenchymal tumors (sarcomas) are more commonly seen in infants to young adults. The breadth of mesenchymal and lymphoid tumors is at least as that wide as among the epithelial tumors. In many respects, this is a more difficult group of lesions to study. The relative rarity of the sarcomas necessitates retrospective collection of cases over long periods of time (during which diagnostic approaches and treatment options may have undergone dramatic changes), or multi-institution prospective studies. This chapter will review the more common mesenchymal and lymphoid neoplasms affecting the head and neck. We will begin with matrix-producing tumors, i.e., those that make bone or cartilage, then turn to skeletal muscle tumors (rhabdomyosarcoma), a common pediatric tumor frequently involving head and neck sites. From there we will survey the remaining spectrum of malignant soft tissue tumors. Finally, we turn to the lymphomas, where newer molecular techniques play a vital role, not only in our theoretic understanding of disease pathogenesis, but in the classification and treatment of this group of tumors.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHead & Neck Cancer: Current Perspectives, Advances, and Challenges
PublisherSpringer Netherlands
Pages289-311
Number of pages23
ISBN (Electronic)9789400758278
ISBN (Print)940075826X, 9789400758261
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Head and neck cancer • Osteosarcoma • Chondrosarcoma •Rhabdomyosarcoma • Lymphoma

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