Head and Neck Cancer

About Head and Neck Cancer

Head and Neck Region comprises of soft tissues, bones, glands and other organs. Any cancer developing in this region would be labeled as Cancer of the head and neck. The cancer is known by the organ involved.

Risk Factors are: alcohol, smoking, gutka, paan, or tobacco in any form, spicy foods and heredity.

Where all it can Occur?

The common sites of the head and neck cancer include:

• Oral(Mouth) Cancer: Lips, palate, tongue, cheeks
• Laryngeal Cancer
• Throat Cancer: base of tongue, tonsil, pharyngeal
• Thyroid Cancer
• Nasal Cavity, Para nasal sinus Cancer
• Salivary Gland Tumors
• Parathyroid tumors
• Skin Cancer

What are the symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer?

The common symptoms can be one of the following:

• A non- healing Sore or ulcer in the mouth or an ulcer which bleeds easily
• A persistent white or red patch in the mouth
• A lump or swelling in the neck or mouth
• Chronic sinus infection which is not getting alright with medications
• Ongoing nor relieving nose congestion or nose bleeds
• A persistent sore throat
• Hoarseness of voice
• Blood in sputum
• Difficulty in chewing or movement of tongue
• Numbness of tongue, loosening of teeth

How is it diagnosed?

When any of the above symptoms occur, do consult your doctor who may prescribe the following tests:

• Biopsy to confirm the diagnosis
• Endoscopies: Direct Laryngoscopy, Bronchoscopy, nasopharyngoscopy
• Imaging like: MRI/CT/PET-CT

How the disease is treated?

The treatment is devised according to stage and location of the tumors. It involves

Surgery: It remains the mainstay of the treatment of the head and neck cancers. It involves removing the cancer along with the regional lymphnodes. This surgery is usually followed by plastic surgery for providing good cosmetic and functional results. With improvement in the LASERs many tumors can be treated with it.

Radiotherapy: Some patients would be requiring radiotherapy a long with surgery. Radiotherapy may be primary mode of treatment in some cancers.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is usually given with radiotherapy. In some cases it is given before or after radiotherapy. Sometimes it may be used preoperatively to decrease the size of the tumors.

Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy: Targeted therapy is treatment specifically meant to attacks specifics targets on tumor cells, thus leading to minimal harm to normal cells. Immunotherapy is meant to modulate the immune e system to increase cancer cell kill.

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