Otolaryngology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

The purpose of this lecture is to provide an up-to-date review of the clinical management of patients with cervical metastasis arising from squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. The key points for patients undergoing primary surgical management of metastatic neck lymph nodes will be discussed, including description of appropriate indications and type of neck dissection (i.e. selective vs. modified radical) that should be employed. Management of the neck for patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) will be highlighted. We will also review indications for adjuvant therapy to the neck lymph nodes following surgery. The second part of the lecture will focus on the surgeon�s role in the management of patients undergoing primary chemoradiation treatment of an oropharynx cancer metastatic to the neck lymph nodes. We will review the indications, timing, and type of neck dissection following primary radiation or chemoradiation treatment. We will also discuss appropriate pre- and post-treatment imaging, including the use of PET/CT, ultrasound, and MRI. Interesting clinical examples will be presented to highlight key points of management. An algorithm for management of patients with oropharynx cancers metastatic to the neck lymph nodes will be provided.

Biography

Dr. Steven J. Wang is a head and neck surgeon specializing in the treatment of benign and malignant disorders of the head and neck. Wang treats tumours of the oral cavity, larynx or voice box, thyroid and salivary glands as well as skin cancers including melanoma and non-melanoma cancer. He also has expertise in head and neck micro vascular reconstructive surgery. Wang conducts research on chemotherapy resistance in head and neck cancer and studies the impact of head and neck cancer treatment on quality of life. Wang completed undergraduate studies at Harvard College and earned a medical degree at Harvard Medical School. After finishing an otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency at UCLA, he completed a two-year fellowship in head and neck oncology and micro vascular reconstructive surgery at the University of Michigan. Wang is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and a member of the American Head and Neck Society and American Association for Cancer Research.