"Previously, we used to think that a patient that’s highest risk for developing a head and neck cancer is one that is a smoker or who has a heavy alcohol [use] history. However, with the rise in HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers, we do see patients in their 30's and 40's with oropharyngeal cancers," says UCI Health head and neck surgeon Yarah Haidar, MD.
"So, any patient with a neck mass or an oral cavity legion needs to be treated or needs to be evaluated urgently."
Oral cavity and head, neck cancers is the six most common cancers um of the body. It is important to get regular dental screening exams to evaluate for any signs of oral cavity lesions. In addition to any patient with a neck mass over the age of 40 is cancer until proven otherwise. And so any patient with a neck mass or an oral lesion needs to be evaluated um for head and neck malignancies. Previously, we used to think that a patient that's the highest risk for developing a head and neck cancer is one that is a smoker or has a heavy alcohol history. However, with the rise in HPV associated or pharyngeal cancers, we do see patients in their thirties and forties with oropharyngeal cancers. So any patient with a neck mass or an oral cavity lesion needs to be treated um or needs to be evaluated um urgently. My name is Yara Hadar. I'm a assistant professor here at the University of California Irvine and a head and neck and microvascular surgeon. I did my undergraduate degree at U University of California Berkeley, uh my medical school degree at U CS D San Diego, my residency here at UC Irvine and then I went to a head and neck and microvascular surgery fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Um I've been in practice here at UC Irvine since I had a close direct family member that was diagnosed with HPV positive or pharyngeal cancer. Um Seven years ago, at the time, trans or robotic surgery was not mainstay in treatment. And so he was treated with maximally invasive treatment of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, full dose treatment and has the side effects that we all know that the treatment can create. Um And so I know that trans or robotic surgery can eliminate the need for chemotherapy or reduce the dose of radiation therapy. And which that's why I'm very passionate about the use of trans or robotic surgery and the treatment of oropharyngeal cancers.
