Transoral endoscopic base of tongue mucosectomy for investigation of unknown primary cancers of head and neck

Abstract

Cancer of the unknown primary (CUP) makes up 2-4% of new head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) diagnoses. This scenario is recognised as a diagnostic challenge for head and neck surgeons. For all patients with proven cervical lymph node metastatic SCC without a clinically apparent primary site, the current UK guidelines recommends PET-CT, panendoscopy with directed biopsies and bilateral tonsillectomy as a standard of care.

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