title: Unusual and giant tumors of head and neck region.
abstract: Head and neck tumors can reach to massive dimensions if patients are uneducated and ignorant about the disease. Resection of such giant tumors creates a significant functional and aesthetic loss due to proximity of vital structures in head and neck region. Reconstruction of these complex defects is a demanding procedure and postoperative results are not always excellent in terms of function and aesthetics. We have reviewed a group of patients with giant head and neck tumors treated in our department. Postoperative results were evaluated in terms of function and aesthetic appearance. Postoperative functional results were good in most of the patients and aesthetic results were acceptable. Early diagnosis and excision of the tumors in head and neck region decrease the morbidity of the disease. Treatment should be planned on individual basis. Most of the patients with head and neck tumors are elderly patients with additional medical problems so reconstructive procedures should be selected by taking this in consideration. Complex and long-lasting operations should be reserved for young patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ramazan Erkin
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Unlü
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Orbay
authors.forename: Ahmet Cagr
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Uysal
authors.forename: Murat Sahin
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Alagöz
authors.forename: Hdr
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kilinc
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sensöz
authors.forename: Turgut
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ortak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods