Head and neck cancer [DS:H02420] Solid tumor [DS:H02421]
Description
Oropharyngeal cancer is a generic term that includes tumors arising within the anatomic confines of the posterior pharyngeal wall, soft palate, tonsillar region and posterior one-third (base) of the tongue. The vast majority of these tumors (>95%) includes squamous cell carcinomas of mucosal origin. Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs) are traditionally categorized as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is now recognised as a causative agent in a subset of OPSCCs. HPV-driven OPSCC and tobacco- and alcohol-related OPSCC are biologically distinct entities. In the former, p53 and pRb are both inactivated at the protein level by, respectively, E6 and E7 viral oncoproteins. The majority of HPV-negative tumors, instead, harbor mutations in the TP53 gene, an increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy number and higher EGFR expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Category
Cancer
Brite
Human diseases in ICD-11 classification [BR:br08403]
02 Neoplasms
Malignant neoplasms, except primary neoplasms of lymphoid, haematopoietic, central nervous system or related tissues
Malignant neoplasms, stated or presumed to be primary, of specified sites, except of lymphoid, haematopoietic, central nervous system or related tissues
Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity or pharynx
2B6A Malignant neoplasms of oropharynx
H01559 Oropharyngeal cancer
