Abstract
Presentation of the Case
The sixth most common cancer worldwide is Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).1 Twenty five percent of male cancers and ten percent of female cancers in India is Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).2 Due to oral consumption of tobacco in various forms, use of lime with betel nut and leaves and smoking , incidence of HNSCC is about six times higher in India as compared to western countries.3
In squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck, distant haematogenous spread is less frequent as compared to involvement cervical lymph node. Fourteen percent is incidence of distant metastasis of Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in India.4
The oropharynx consists of the soft palate, tonsillar fossae, tongue base and the pharyngeal walls from the level of the soft palate cephalad to the level of the epiglottis caudad. Perhaps its most distinguishing anatomical characteristic is as the location for most of the Waldeyer’s lymphatic ring, including the palatine tonsils and the lingual tonsils and distant metastasis is a significant problem in patients with carcinoma of the oropharynx, occurring in approximately 15–20% off all patients over the course of the disease.5
References
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Corresponding Author
Dr Ashutosh Kumar
Department of Radiotherapy, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India