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Perineural Invasion of Head and Neck Skin Cancer: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications

  • Head and Neck Cancers (EY Hanna, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Perineural invasion of head and neck skin cancer is a poorly understood and often misdiagnosed pathological entity. Incidental or microscopic perineural invasion is identified by the pathologist and often leads to confusion as to how the patient should be further treated. The less common but more aggressive clinical perineural spread presents with a clinical deficit, which is too commonly misinterpreted by the clinician. This review will try to clarify the terminology that exists in the literature and explore the mechanisms of invasion and spread. It will look at the recent advances in diagnosis and comment on the limitations inherent in current classification schemes. A review of outcomes will be included and current treatment strategies utilized discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Queensland Skull Base Unit, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, 199 Ipswich Road Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 4102

    Benedict Panizza & Timothy Warren

  2. School of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia

    Benedict Panizza & Timothy Warren

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  1. Benedict Panizza
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  2. Timothy Warren
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Correspondence to Benedict Panizza.

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Panizza, B., Warren, T. Perineural Invasion of Head and Neck Skin Cancer: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications. Curr Oncol Rep 15, 128–133 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-012-0288-y

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