Role of Transoral Robotic Surgery in the Work-up of the Unknown Primary

Unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to cervical lymph nodes is a relatively rare tumor presentation, although the incidence may be increasing along with the rising incidence of human papilloma virus –mediated oropharyngeal cancers. Traditional diagnostic methods with palatine tonsillectomy and panendoscopy may identify the minority of primary tumors. The addition of a transoral lingual tonsillectomy may improve the diagnostic yield of identifying a primary tumor. Incorporation of transoral ro botic surgery may be used for diagnostic purposes to identify a primary site and also for therapeutic purposes, whereby a primary tumor may be completely resected and combined with a neck dissection.
Source: Otolaryngologic clinics of North America - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Source Type: research