Head and neck cancers are a growing concern for many Americans as they age. These types of cancer are typically found in the head and neck, but are typically found in squamous tissues that are found in the mouth and airway structures in the head and neck. Although not as common, head and neck cancers can also be found in the salivary glands, the muscles, or the sinuses. However, simply because cancer is found in the head and neck, it does not mean that they are always classified as head and neck cancers. Cancer that is located in the brain is the notable exception.
Your head and neck cancer diagnosis is made after a physician examines you by feeling any lumps or looking into the throat. Dentists frequently discover cancer during routine dental exams. Be sure to talk to your dentist about any changes that you may have noticed since your last appointment.
Once cancer is suspected, you may be scheduled for an endoscopy. An endoscopy is typically done by inserting a scope through the nose and down the throat to look for anything abnormal. A biopsy, or sample, may be taken and sent to a laboratory for further testing.
There are five primary types of head and neck cancer. They are focused on the specific part of the body they reside in, such as the throat or nasal areas.
This is the most common type of head and neck cancer. It can affect the mouth, lips, tongue, and cheeks. Some of the first signs of cancer in this area are white or red patches in the mouth, bleeding or swelling in the mouth and gums. Sometimes swelling can first be noticed when patients have dental work that no longer fits well.
The pharynx is the portion of the throat that extends from the back of the nasal passage to the top of your esophagus. The larynx is part of the throat that houses your vocal cords and voice box. This structure is critical for throat function. This includes speaking, swallowing, and breathing. Early signs of cancer in these structures are most often difficulty with swallowing, feeling like there’s a lump in your throat, or pain that is in one or both ears. Additionally, voice changes can be a sign of an issue in the larynx.
The nasal cavity is more than just the inside of your nose. There is a lot of space located in and behind the nose that helps us with our breathing, specifically through the nose and into the throat. Signs of cancer can include frequent sinus infections, the inability to clear the sinuses, nosebleeds, headaches, swelling around the eyes or in the mouth that may cause dentures to fit poorly, or feeling pain in the upper teeth.
Saliva is produced in our mouths to help aid in our digestion and break down food. It has specific enzymes to do this successfully. The salivary glands that produce the fluid can become cancerous, although it’s not very common. Signs of cancer in the salivary gland are frequently noticed due to pain or swelling around the area. Some patients may also notice that they have numbness or tingling in their face, chin, neck, or jaw.
Two main things contribute to most head and neck cancers – alcohol and tobacco. It is important to see your doctor and your dentist regularly. While you're there have an open discussion about your use of these products so you can be appropriately evaluated. Sometimes additional screening is a good idea to catch cancer early in patients that may have a higher risk.
Other activities can put you at risk of developing head and neck cancers, such as
Some factors aren’t in your control. Men are twice as likely to get head and neck cancer than women and are often diagnosed over fifty years old.
There are some risk factors, however, that you can address in your daily habits and your overall medical care. These are some things known to reduce the risk of developing a head or neck cancer and other types of cancer. These include:
If you have a family history of head and neck cancer, or have several risk factors, make sure you’re paying extra attention for signs of head and neck cancers. There are some rare genetic syndromes being studied that may be related to developing these types of cancer.
There are some screening tools used to find head and neck cancers at an early stage when it’s easier to treat.
Quite often an ear, nose and throat specialist will assess a patient, run tests and determine if cancer is present. If found, your ENT will want you to see an oncologist who manages the cancer treatment planning. The oncologist will work with a few people, including a surgeon and a radiation oncologist who specializes in giving radiotherapy.
The most common treatment combination is surgery followed by radiation therapy to be sure there aren’t any leftover cancer cells. Some patients may also need chemotherapy or other drugs. This is primarily the case when the cancer has spread from an isolated area in the body.
The main type of radiation therapy used for head and neck cancer is referred to as external beam radiation. There are a number of different applications of external beam radiation that can be used to help treat cancer. RCOG typically uses intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for head and neck cancers.
Radiation therapy utilizes a variety of imaging and computerized control to ensure we identify the cancerous tissues while avoiding healthy tissue and organs.
If you’ve received a cancer diagnosis of the head and neck, please consider your options carefully so you can access the most advanced cancer treatments available. Our team, located in the Atlanta area, reviews each patient’s needs to determine which of the advanced technologies would work best for the patient to have the best outcome. Contact our offices in Conyers, Covington, Decatur, and Snellville if you would like to schedule an appointment.