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Head and neck cancer: carcinoma of unknown primary
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Head and neck cancer: carcinoma of unknown primary

Theodore S Donta and Wendy R K Smoker
Topics in magnetic resonance imaging, Vol.18(4), pp.281-292
08/2007
DOI: 10.1097/RMR.0b0113e3181570c6c
PMID: 17893593
url
https://doi.org/10.1097/RMR.0b0113e3181570c6cView
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Carcinoma of unknown primary is uncommon, estimated to represent only 3% to 5% of all head and neck cancers. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 70% to 90% of these lesions, most commonly from sites in the upper aerodigestive tract, including tonsils, base of tongue, nasopharynx, and piriform sinus. Magnetic resonance, computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography all play a role in the assessment of patients with an unknown primary. The location of a metastatic lymph node may give an indication of the primary tumor site, and knowledge of lymph node drainage patterns is important for anyone evaluating these patients. Magnetic resonance and CT are both used for evaluation for extracapsular nodal disease, perineural tumor spread, osseous skull base or perivertebral space involvement, and vascular invasion, findings that seriously impact treatment and prognosis. Positron emission tomography/CT also plays a significant role in detecting primary tumor sites and identifying distant metastatic disease.
 Adult Carcinoma - diagnosis Carcinoma - secondary Female Head and Neck Neoplasms - diagnosis Head and Neck Neoplasms - secondary Humans Magnetic Resonance Imaging Neoplasms, Unknown Primary - diagnosis

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