Head and Neck Cancer

July 9, 2020

4 min read

Head and neck cancer refer to any malignancies found in this area of the body and covers a wide range of diseases. Some forms of head and neck cancer are relatively rare.

These cancers are divided into general areas. Oral cavity cancers all involve the mouth. Nasal cavity cancer begins in the opening at the back of the nose. The nasal cavity runs across the roof of the mouth, turning down and joining the rear of the mouth and throat.

Paranasal sinus cancer starts in the sinuses, while nasopharyngeal cancer starts behind the nose, in the throat’s upper level. Hypopharyngeal cancer begins in the throat’s lower section, and behind the larynx.

Types of Head and Neck Cancer

Types of head and neck cancer include cancers of the:

Larynx (voicebox)
Lips
Mouth
Nose
Pituitary gland
Salivary glands
Throat
Tongue
Tonsils
Thyroid glands

Skin cancers occurring on the head or neck are also considered head and neck cancer. Squamous cell carcinomas are the most common type of head and neck cancers. These cells line the throat, mouth, and nose.

Head and Neck Cancer Symptoms

While a dentist or doctor may diagnose certain head and neck cancers during a routine visit, most of these cancers are not discovered until symptoms start. Anyone experiencing symptoms should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Unfortunately, because many head and neck cancer patients do not seek medical attention right away, the cancers when frequently diagnosed at a later stage. Common head and neck cancer symptoms include:

Constant sore throat
Sore that will not heal
Long-term swelling
Facial pain
Mass or lump on the head or neck
White or red patches inside the mouth
Regular nose bleeds
Unexplained bad mouth odor
Hoarseness or vocal changes
Difficulty chewing or swallowing

Many people with cancer lose considerable amounts of weight. This is another sign of head and neck cancer, but weight loss is frequently due to eating discomfort.

Risk Factors

Using tobacco and consuming too much alcohol are the primary risk factors for developing head and neck cancer. Such use is associated with roughly 75 percent of head and neck cancers. Using a pipe or holding cigarettes on the lips increases the odds of lip cancer.

Chewing tobacco is particularly linked to oral cancers. The longer someone has smoked or otherwise used tobacco, or engaged in heavy drinking, the higher the risk.

Those infected with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) are at greater risk of developing cancers of the tonsils and tongue. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus with few symptoms.

People with poor immune function are more vulnerable to head and neck cancers.

Males are diagnosed with head and neck cancers more often than females. Most head and neck cancer patients are over 50 at the time of diagnosis, although these cancers can affect anyone.

Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis

The diagnosis starts with a complete head and neck examination. The doctor inspects the neck’s lymph nodes for swelling, a possible sign of cancer. If your primary care physician finds anything suspicious, you are sent to a specialist for further diagnosis.

The doctor may order MRIs or CAT scans to determine the tumor size and whether cancer has spread. Depending on the type of tumor, the patient may undergo a barium swallow. After drinking a mixture with barium in it, the throat is coated so that X-rays can get a better picture of how the throat appears when the patient is asked to swallow.

Patients will undergo a biopsy. In this procedure, the doctor removes a small bit of tissue in the cancer’s locale. The tissue is then sent to a laboratory and tested to see if cancer cells are present.

Head and Neck Cancer Treatment

Head and neck cancer treatment varies depending on the location and type of cancer. Patients may undergo surgery and receive chemotherapy or radiation. Newer treatments include immunotherapy, which assists the immune system in battling cancer. Targeted therapy, unlike conventional chemotherapy, targets only cancer cells, leaving healthy cells alone. Targeted therapies are often used in conjunction with chemotherapy or on their own.

Treatment factors include the stage of the cancer, how the treatment affects your ability to eat or perform other necessary functions, patient age, and other health conditions.

Surgery for head and neck cancer might involve removal of the all or part of the affected area. That could mean the loss of the tongue, larynx, jawbone, or more. Patients must make an informed decision about their treatment and its aftermath after discussing options with their doctor.

Rehabilitation

Head and neck cancer patients must often undergo a long period of rehabilitation after their initial treatments. Many head and neck cancer treatments result in side effects, which may include: