Title:Malignant and Benign Head and Neck Tumors of the Pediatric Age: A
Narrative Review
Volume: 20
Author(s): Ginevra Micangeli, Michela Menghi, Giovanni Profeta, Roberto Paparella, Francesca Tarani, Carla Petrella, Christian Barbato, Antonio Minni, Antonio Greco, Giampiero Ferraguti, Luigi Tarani and Marco Fiore*
Affiliation:
- Institute of Biochemistry
and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Roma, Italy
Keywords:
head and neck cancer, children, surgery, therapy, pediatrics., adolescents
Abstract: Malignant tumors of the head and neck are rare in children, but it is important to know
these lesions and identify them early in order to have a good outcome for these patients. Benign lesions
of the head and neck are much more frequent and have an excellent prognosis. For this reason,
it is necessary to recognize the warning signs and symptoms and understand when to refer the
patient to a reference center for the treatment of these pathologies. The clinical presentation of
both benign and malignant lesions in children may be similar as usually, both categories have compressive
effects. This confirms the fact that the clinical diagnosis is not sufficient and always requires
instrumental investigations and biopsies. In this narrative review, we analyzed both malignant
lesions such as lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, thyroid tumors, salivary gland tumors, neuroblastoma,
and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and benign ones such as cystic dermoid teratoma, hemangioma,
juvenile angiofibroma and fibrosis dysplasia. Indeed, we set out to discuss the most
common lesions of this site by evaluating their characteristics to highlight the differentiation of
malignant tumors from benign lesions and their correct clinical-therapeutic management. A literature
search was carried out in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify all narrative
reviews addressing malignant and benign head and neck tumors of the pediatric age. In conclusion,
the care of children affected by head and neck benign lesions and malignancy must be combined
and multidisciplinary. It is essential to recognize the diseases early in order to differentiate
and intervene as soon as possible for the correct clinical-therapeutic management.
