Head & Neck Cancer

Head and neck generally include cancers in the lips, mouth, tongue, nose, throat and salivary glands in the upper part of neck.

The most common type in the list of head and neck cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, and it can start in the mouth, throat, nose or sometimes as a simple swelling in the neck. There is a possibility that blood cancers called lymphoma cancers affect the immune system of the neck and head and then later, can spread to other body parts.

It is important to note that cancers involving Head and Neck region (especially mouth) is one of the most common cancers in India. The main cause of such a high incidence in India is due to exposure to tobacco which is very common in our population. This happens despite doctors advising against the use of these addiction. But, early detection of such cancers helps in complete treatment with good functional and cosmetic results.

Symptoms

• Change of voice timbre
• Repeated sore throat
• Foul smell from mouth
• Growth in mouth leading to difficulty in chewing
• Swelling in neck region – generally painless
• White or red patch, non-healing oral ulcer
• Persistent nasal obstructions or congestions

Risk factors

• Smoking
• Alchohol
• Human Papilloma Virus(HPV).
• Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
• Marijuana use
• Repeated tongue bite

Treatment Overview

• You should meet your doctor if you have any/combination of such symptoms
• Once cancer is detected, treatment should be started as early as possible. If detected in early stage, these cancers are curable by doing surgery. Patient may require post surgery radiation or chemotherapy depending on surgical specimen histopathology report
• Advanced malignancy cases are treated by chemotherapy