ENT cancers, more commonly known as head and neck cancers, are cancers that develop in one of the organs of the upper aerodigestive tract (VADS, i.e. located in the digestive and upper respiratory systems). They therefore include cancers of the mouth (including lips and tongue), nasopharynx (cavum), hypopharynx, salivary glands, and larynx (more commonly referred to as throat cancer).

A biomarker, also called in some cases genetic mutations, is a measurable biological characteristic that is linked to a normal or non-normal process. In oncology, among biomarkers, certain abnormalities (often mutations) at the level of a gene can predict the action of a targeted drug. This information can be found in the molecular biology report (or NGS) or a consultation report. For ENT cancers, the most common biomarkers are the p16 protein, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the HPV virus (human papilloma virus) and the TP53 gene.

Cancers of the oral cavity (or oral cancer) include cancers that develop in the lips, tongue, gums, palate or on the inside of the cheeks. Among these cancers, tongue cancer is the most common and the main histology for tongue cancers is squamous cell carcinoma.

The TNM score is a classification system used to assess the stage of a cancer, plan treatment, and predict prognosis.

Three parameters must be taken into account:

• The T describes the size and extent of the primary tumor
• The N indicates whether the cancer faces a regional lymph node extension
• The M indicates whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, called metastases.

TNM chart for tongue cancers

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Various treatments can be put in place to treat tongue cancer. Surgery may be done to remove the tumor. Treatments by radiotherapy and Brachytherapy are also used.

The larynx is part of the respiratory system. It connects the throat to the trachea. Laryngeal cancers start in squamous cells that line the inner part of the larynx. The most common histology is squamous cell carcinoma. Before becoming cancer, precancerous lesions in the larynx are called dysplasias.

The TNM score is a classification system used to assess the stage of a cancer, plan treatment, and predict prognosis.

Three parameters must be taken into account:

• The T describes the size and extent of the primary tumor
• The N indicates whether the cancer faces a regional lymph node extension
• The M indicates whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, called metastases.

TNM chart for laryngeal cancers

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If local treatment with surgery and/or radiation cannot be offered, chemotherapy is often used to treat laryngeal cancer.

In the first line, chemotherapy can be monotherapy (methotrexate, mitomycin, or cisplatin) or in combination of drugs. The TPF protocol (Taxoter, cisplatin, and 5-Fluorouracil) is often offered.

As a second line, other monotherapy drugs may be proposed such as docetaxel (Taxotere), gemcitabine (Gemzar) or vinorelbine (Navelbine).

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The salivary glands are the organs responsible for producing saliva. Tumors often form behind the mandible (at the back of the mouth) or in the palate. Common histologies include Adenoid cystic carcinomas.

The TNM score is a classification system used to assess the stage of a cancer, plan treatment, and predict prognosis.

Three parameters must be taken into account:

• The T describes the size and extent of the primary tumor
• The N indicates whether the cancer faces a regional lymph node extension
• The M indicates whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, called metastases.

TNM chart for salivary gland cancers

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The most common treatment for salivary gland cancer is surgery, during which the entire affected gland is removed. In general, this surgery is complemented by a treatment of adjuvant radiation therapy.

The tumors that cause this type of cancer are formed from cells in the hypopharynx. The hypopharynx is the lower part of the pharynx. It is a digestive tract that connects the larynx (throat) to the esophagus. It is involved in various actions including breathing and swallowing. The most common histology for this type of cancer is squamous cell carcinoma.

The TNM score is a classification system used to assess the stage of a cancer, plan treatment, and predict prognosis.

Three parameters must be taken into account:

• The T describes the size and extent of the primary tumor
• The N indicates whether the cancer faces a regional lymph node extension
• The M indicates whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, called metastases.

TNM chart for hypopharyngeal cancers

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Several treatments can be put in place for these cancers:

• One surgery : It can be either total (i.e. the larynx and part of the hypopharynx are removed) or circular (all of the larynx and hypopharynx are removed).
• One radiotherapy : It is the most common treatment.
• One chemotherapy : The protocols most often used involve a combination of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

The cavum (nasopharynx) corresponds to the upper part of the pharynx. There are three types of caval cancers. The keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, the non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma And theUCNT (Undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Type).

The TNM score is a classification system used to assess the stage of a cancer, plan treatment, and predict prognosis.

Three parameters must be taken into account:

• The T describes the size and extent of the primary tumor
• The N indicates whether the cancer faces a regional lymph node extension
• The M indicates whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, called metastases.

TNM chart for caval cancers

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The most used treatments for this type of cancer are intensity-modulated conformal radiation therapy (RCMI) and chemotherapy. In chemotherapy, the BEC protocol (Bleomycin, Epirubicin, Cisplatin) is often offered.