Head and Neck Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
What is head & neck cancer?
Head & neck cancer usually start in moist surfaces which line the mouth, nose and throat. Most of head & neck cancer are a subtype of cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell cancer develops in flat squamous cells which compose the thin tissue layer on the surface of structures in head & neck. Other rare types of cancer can develop in the skin of the neck & head, and the salivary glands.
Causes
Using tobacco and drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing head & neck cancer. Use of any type tobacco products — cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, and pipes — can lead to greater risk of developing head & neck cancer. Also, as one gets older, his/her risk of developing head & neck cancer also increases. It is commoner for head and neck cancer to occur in people who are older than 45 years of age. This type of cancer is less common in women than in men.
A relation to the HPV or human papillomavirus is seen in some head & neck cancers. HPV is the virus that can lead to cervical cancer as well as some other types of cancer. Generally, as compared to cancers not caused by this virus, head & neck cancer caused by the HPV has better prognosis (a chance of recovery).
The oncologists Las Vegas suggest that the best thing one can do to minimize the risk of getting head & neck cancer is to terminate using any type of tobacco products. The risk of head & neck cancer can be minimized by avoiding drinking too much alcohol as well. You should get vaccines against HPV to prevent the HPV strains that can cause some head & neck cancers. HPV vaccinations will work most effectively when taken before any prior exposure to the virus. The oncologists Las Vegas recommend HPV vaccinations for children, adolescents as well as young adults. Maintaining a good dental hygiene can also minimize the risk of developing head & neck cancer.
Symptoms
Here are some common symptoms of head & neck cancer:
· Difficulty swallowing
· Changes in voice
· Sore throat
· Lump in neck
· Sore that doesn’t heal
These symptoms can be caused by certain other less serious conditions as well. That is why it I critical that you visit the hope cancer center for evaluation of your new symptoms.
Diagnosis
If the oncologist suspects that you have head & neck cancer, the first thing you need to do is to have a proper evaluation and physical examination done focused on the neck and head area. However, biopsy is the only concrete way to determine whether or not you have head & neck cancer.
Treatment
There are a number of treatment options for head & neck cancers including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Many different types of cancer treatments are often used together, for instance, surgery can be followed by radiation therapy, or chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy. It usually requires a team of specialist doctors to manage head & neck cancer.
