HNSCC
Medical abbreviation · Hematology and Oncology
| Stands for | Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
HNSCC stands for Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, a hematology and oncology abbreviation.
Cancers arising from the lining of the mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx) and nasal cavity, most caused by tobacco and alcohol or, increasingly in the oropharynx, by human papillomavirus. Symptoms include a persistent sore throat, hoarseness, mouth ulcers or a neck lump.
Example: p16-positive oropharyngeal HNSCC, T2N1; concurrent cisplatin and IMRT planned.
Usage notes
HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer, identified by p16 staining, has risen sharply in men and carries a much better prognosis than tobacco-related disease, leading the AJCC to stage it separately since 2018. Treatment combines surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, and immunotherapy with pembrolizumab is used in recurrent or metastatic disease. HPV vaccination is expected to prevent many future cases.
Related abbreviations
More hematology and oncology abbreviations
- HD – Hodgkin disease
- HER2 – Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
- HIT – Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
- HL – Hodgkin lymphoma
- HLA – Human leukocyte antigen
- HLH – Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
- HR+ – Hormone receptor-positive
- HS – Hereditary spherocytosis
- HSCT – Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- Hyper-CVAD – Hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, Adriamycin…
- ICANS – Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome
- ICI – Immune checkpoint inhibitor
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.