Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026
A Model for Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: January 5, 2017
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in children
Natasha D Dombrowski1, Nikolaus E Wolter2, Alexandria L Irace1
1Department of Otolaryngology & Communication Enhancement, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, United States.
Insights
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is rare in children, often linked to prior cancers or genetic issues. Surgical removal is preferred over radiation to minimize complications in pediatric head and neck SCC cases.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Head and Neck Surgery
Background:
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is exceptionally rare in the pediatric population.
- Risk factors include prior malignancies, immunosuppressant therapy, and genetic syndromes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies for pediatric head and neck SCC.
- To analyze treatment outcomes, recurrence rates, and associated complications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for pediatric patients (≤20 years) diagnosed with head and neck SCC between 1996 and 2016.
- Data collected included clinical details, diagnostic methods, treatment plans, and patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- Eleven pediatric patients were diagnosed with SCC, primarily in the oral cavity (45.5%), lip/upper lip (27.3%), and larynx (18.2%).
- Most tumors were treated with surgical excision; radiation and chemotherapy were used in select cases.
- Complications included hearing loss, laryngeal stenosis, and orocutaneous fistula; two local recurrences were observed.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric head and neck SCC is uncommon and frequently associated with specific predisposing conditions.
- Complete surgical excision is the recommended primary treatment to avoid radiation-related morbidity.
Objective:
To discuss the presentation, evaluation, and management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in the pediatric population.
Methods:
Medical records of pediatric (≤20 years) patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck between 1996 and 2016 were reviewed. Data pertaining to clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, treatment plan, complications, recurrence, follow-up, or outcome were collected.
Results:
Eleven patients were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Seven of these patients had medical histories significant for prior malignancies, immunosuppressant therapy, and/or genetic syndromes. Lesions were identified in the oral cavity (n = 5, 45.5%), lip/upper lip (n = 3, 27.3%), larynx (n = 2, 18.2%), and nasal cavity (n = 1, 9.1%). Tumors were most commonly treated with surgical excision alone. Three patients underwent irradiation (2 adjuvant and 1 without surgery) and chemotherapy (1 adjuvant, 1 neoadjuvant, and 1 without surgery). Of these patients, one reported complications of hearing loss, loss of dentition, and laryngeal stenosis. Two patients developed local recurrence at 1 month and 5 years post-operatively, respectively. One patient developed an orocutaneous fistula and subsequently died. No other complications were reported. Median follow-up time was 4.6 years (interquartile range: 2.4-8.4 years). Complications of radiation included: laryngeal stenosis, wound breakdown, and orocutaneous fistula.
Conclusion:
Squamous cell carcinoma is rare in the pediatric population. Most frequently, it is associated with previous malignancies, immunosuppressant therapy, and/or genetic conditions. Complete surgical excision is recommended to obviate the need for radiation whenever possible.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
01:19Veins of Head and Neck
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
01:26Muscles of the Anterior Neck
01:19Muscles that Move the Head
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas...
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
02:58Chemistry of the Cell
Water
The polarity of the water molecule and its resulting hydrogen bonding makes water a unique substance with special properties that are intimately tied to the processes of life. Life originally evolved in an aqueous environment, and most of an organism’s cellular chemistry and metabolism occur inside the aqueous contents of the cell’s cytoplasm. Special properties of water are its high heat capacity...