The Problem of Head and Neck Tumors of Childhood
THE application of therapeutic principles to the treatment of pediatric solid tumors is not generously reported, but some basic logic in classification and management does become evident in the current literature.9,10The years from birth to age 15 present the clinician with added burdens in tumor diagnosis and care. Growing osteogenic centers, maturation of soft tissues, endocrine changes, psychological pliance, and parental concerns mark this time as a particularly difficult interval in the care of the child with neoplastic growth. Furthermore, recent reports indicate a marked difference in the clinical characteristics of childhood tumors when compared to those of the adult age group.1,6,10 Major differences consist of the following.
The incidence of metastatic lesions in the head and neck is approximately equal to the incidence of primary tumors.
The most frequent site of a primary lesion in