Kwaadaardige solide tumoren in het hoofd-halsgebied bij kinderen

Some 5% of all pediatric malignancies arise in the head and neck area and 25% will eventually involve this region. Therefore basic knowledge of childhood cancer is essential for the otolaryngologist. Many important differences exist with head and neck cancer in adult patients, for instance with respect to histopathology, tumorigenesis and treatment protocols. Most tumors are non-epithelial in origin. Genetic factors have an important role in etiology. Chemotherapy is an essential part of the treatment in almost all pediatric solid tumors and has contributed to increased survival rates. This paper summarizes the most frequently encountered solid head and neck malignancies in childhood with respect to epidemiology, clinical behavior, histopathology, diagnostic work-up, therapy and outcome. Soft-tissue sarcomas, neuroblastoma, thyroid carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and salivary gland carcinomas are dealt with subsequently.