Management of squamous cell carcinomas of the skull-base

ConclusionSquamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common cancer occurring in the Head and Neck. Squamous cell carcinoma is also the most common cancer arising within the nose and sinuses of which skull-base squamous cell carcinoma is a rare subgroup.Evidence relating to the management and survival of skull-base SCC is based on expert opinion and. retrospective analyses Clinical examination and biopsy, imaging and a broad multidisciplinary team are key to the management of skull-base SCC. The information gathered should be used to guide informed discussion by suitably trained experts with patients regarding surgical approach, post-operative recovery and adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatments. The standard of care is currently to perform skull base resection with or without additional craniotomy, pedicled or free flap reconstruction in multiple layers and post-operative radiation (usually photons or protons). Open approaches have traditionally been the mainstay, however in certain cases endoscopic approaches can yield equivalent results and offer many advantages. Despite advances in care survival remains poor with a nearly one in five risk of nodal recurrence within two years.
Source: Journal of Neuro-Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research