Head and neck cancer is a group of cancers that develops in or near the throat, voice box, nose, sinuses, or mouth. All these cancers start when cells in part of the head or neck grow out of control and crowd out normal cells. This makes it hard for the body to function normally. Cancer cells in the head or neck can spread to other parts of the body, sometimes travel to the lungs and grow there. The main causes of head and neck cancers include tobacco, and alcohol. Worldwide, head and neck cancer accounts for more than 550,000 cases and 380,000 deaths annually.
There are five main types of head and neck cancer. They are named for the affected part of the head or neck and have different symptoms.
The two main causes of head and neck cancer are tobacco and alcohol. Smoking, secondhand smoke, chewing tobacco and using snuff can raise the risk of getting head and neck cancer. Drinking any type of alcohol, such as beer, wine, or liquor, also leads to a higher risk of getting cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box. At least 75% of head and neck cancers are caused by tobacco and alcohol use.
Besides, infection with cancer-causing types of human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV type 16, is also a risk factor for some types of head and neck cancers, especially oropharyngeal cancer. An infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, a cause of infectious mononucleosis, can raise the risk of cancers in the nose, behind the nose, and cancers of the salivary glands.
Occupational exposures can increase the risk of getting cancers in the nasopharynx. Working in the construction, textile, ceramic, logging, and food processing industries can cause people to be exposed to substances like wood dust, formaldehyde, asbestos, nickel, and other harmful chemicals.
Radiation treatments to the head and neck can potentially cause head and neck cancers.
Head and neck cancer can most often affect the ears, nose and throat. Symptoms of head and neck cancer vary depending on where the cancer develops and how it spreads.
Some common symptoms of head and neck cancer tumors include:
If you have symptoms of a head or neck cancer or the doctor suspects you have a head or neck cancer, the doctor might perform a few tests. These include:
Treatment for head and neck cancer depends on a lot of factors, including the location of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, and the person’s age and general health. The common treatment options are as follows:
The doctor might eliminate the cancer with a laser or take out the tumor and some of the healthy tissue around it. Surgery may be used to take out lymph nodes in the neck that does not get better with other treatments. If the surgery changes your face a lot, or it makes it hard to eat and breathe, you might need another surgery.
The doctor will use X-rays or other energy particles to kill cancer cells.
There are two main radiation treatments. External beam radiation is most often aimed at the cancer from a machine outside the body. Brachytherapy puts radioactive seeds right into the body near the cancer.
The patient is given drugs to stop the cancer cells from growing and dividing, which should destroy cancer cells. The drugs may be given into a vein or taken as pills. Chemo is given in cycles or rounds. Each round of treatment is followed by a break. It often lasts for many months. Chemo is often given along with radiation.
The doctor will prescribe some medications that work on the genes, proteins, and other parts of the cancer cells. Side effects of target therapy often include problems with the skin, hair, nails, or eyes.
The procedure uses parts of your immune system to help fight cancer. Doctors can stimulate your immune system to attack cancer cells, or they can give you man-made proteins to strengthen your immune system.
Before taking any treatment options, please consult with the doctor for better advice.
Keywords: Head and neck cancer