Introduction The transcervical approach to the oropharynx and hypopharynx provides excellent exposure for the removal of a variety of lesions. The lateral pharyngectomy approach was first described by Cheever in 1878 and was popularized later by Trotter in the UK…
Introduction The association of an elongated styloid process with pharyngeal and cervical pain is known as Eagle syndrome and was first described in 1937. Eagle syndrome is characterized as a dull, aching pain localized to one or both sides of…
Introduction The soft palate is a subsite of the oropharynx. Its axial plane defines the superior boundary of the oropharynx, incompletely separating it from the nasopharynx above. The soft palate comprises approximately one-third of the palate, with the more anteriorly…
Introduction Carcinoma of the base of the tongue can be managed with either surgical or nonsurgical approaches. Historically, most surgical resections in this region have involved open approaches, such as suprahyoid pharyngotomy or lip-split mandibulotomy. Given the morbidity of these…
Introduction Almost 50,000 people develop oral and oropharyngeal cancers each year with almost 9000 deaths annually. When diagnosed and treated in its early stages, 5-year survival rates can exceed 83%. Oropharyngeal cancer is on the rise, and in particular, human…
Introduction The base of the tongue (BOT) is the most anterior-superior portion of the oropharynx bounded anteriorly by the circumvallate papillae, laterally by the paired glosso-palatine sulci, and inferiorly by the vallecula. The BOT is formed from the medial fusion…
Introduction The most favorable management of oropharyngeal cancer is still controversial. In the past, oropharyngeal cancers were treated with surgery followed by radiation. Surgical resection usually required mandibulectomy or mandibulotomy and removal of pharyngeal musculature, which resulted in significant morbidity.…
Introduction The hard palate is the site of origin of benign and malignant tumors. The most common tumor of minor salivary gland origin in this site is pleomorphic adenoma, a benign tumor that appears as a smooth submucosal mass. Approximately…
Introduction The buccal mucosa is an uncommon site for oral cavity cancer (SCC) and comprises 5% to 10% of all intraoral squamous cell carcinoma (IOSCC) in North America and Europe. However, it is more commonly seen among Taiwanese Chinese and…
Introduction Cancer of the floor of the mouth accounts for approximately one-third of all cancers of the oral cavity, with squamous cell carcinoma accounting for more than 95% of cases. Affected patients tend to reflect many of the epidemiologic features…