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Approach to the Patient with Unknown Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

  • Head and Neck Cancer (CP Rodriguez, Section Editor)
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Opinion statement

Head and neck cancer of unknown primary (HNCUP) is increasingly encountered in both community otolaryngology practice and the academic head and neck cancer program. A stepwise diagnostic evaluation will identify many primary sites. However, true HNCUP remains common in high-volume practices after appropriate examination, imaging, and biopsies. The prognosis for the majority of the patients is good, owing to the common association with high-risk HPV, and putative oropharyngeal primary origin. With high oncologic control rates, judicious treatment selection is essential to optimize functional outcomes.

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  1. Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road PV01, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA

    Jennifer Moy & Ryan Li

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Jennifer Moy declares that she has no conflict of interest. Ryan Li receives honoraria from Intuitive Surgical, Inc. for leading instructional courses and lectures on transoral robotic surgery.

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Moy, J., Li, R. Approach to the Patient with Unknown Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. Curr. Treat. Options in Oncol. 21, 93 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-020-00791-3

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