Cancers of the Head and Neck
Head and neck cancers arise from the cells that make up the face, mouth and throat. Because cancers in different locations behave differently, treatment depends on the cancer type and extent. Some common locations include:
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- Oropharynx
- Paranasal sinuses
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- Oral Cavity
- Salivary glands and thyroid
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Risk factors include:
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Use of smokeless tobacco, such as chew or dip
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- Exposure to wood or nickel dust or asbestos
- Plummer-Vinson syndrome (disorder from nutritional deficiencies)
- Exposure to viruses, including the human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr
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Symptoms can include:
- Lump or sore that does not heal
- Sore throat that does not go away
- Difficulty or pain with swallowing
- Change in your voice or hoarseness
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- Blood in your saliva or from your nose
- Ear pain or loss of hearing
- Lump in the neck
- Nasal stuffiness that does not resolve
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These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other problems. It is important to see a doctor about any symptoms such as these so that the problem can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
If you quit smoking, the health benefits begin immediately - for patients with head and neck cancer, quitting smoking reduces the risks of infections and developing other cancers. To learn how to quit, ask your doctor or visit www.smokefree.gov
Diagnosis
To look for cancer, your doctor will examine all the areas of your head and neck.
Your doctor will first feel for lumps on the neck, mouth and throat. He or she may also use a flexible endoscope, a thin, lighted tube that is passed through the nose, to obtain a more comprehensive assessment of the head and neck area.
X-ray, CT, MR and PET scans are often needed to show the location and extent of the cancer.
To confirm if you have cancer, some tissue will be removed and analyzed. This test is called a biopsy.
Treatment
Treatment for head and neck cancer depends on several factors, including the type of cancer, the size and stage, its location, and your overall health.
Surgery,
radiation therapy and
chemotherapy are the mainstays of treating head and neck cancer. For many head and neck cancers, combining two or three types of treatments may be most effective.