Head and Neck Cancer Care Designed for You
Any cancers that grow in the head and neck regions are considered head and neck cancers. This includes areas like your mouth, throat, sinuses and salivary glands.
Types of Head and Neck Cancer We Treat
There are five main types of head and neck cancer. Depending on which areas are affected, you may be diagnosed with:
Oral Cancer
When cells begin to grow uncontrollably in the mouth or surrounding areas, you could be diagnosed with oral cancer. It can start anywhere in the oral cavity, which includes the lips, gums, tongue, inner lining of the cheeks, roof of the mouth or floor of the mouth.
Oral Cancer Risk Factors
Risk factors for oral cancer include:
- Tobacco use
- Heavy alcohol use
- Being male
Oral Cancer Signs and Symptoms
The most common sign of oral cancer is a sore or lump in the mouth. Other symptoms include:
- White or red patch on the gums, tongue or lining of the mouth
- Bleeding, pain or numbness in the mouth
- Voice changes
- Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit well
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Difficulty moving the tongue or jaw
- Sore throat
- Feeling like something is caught in the throat
- Swollen jaw
Since these can also be indicators of other conditions, check with your primary care provider so they can determine the cause.
Oral Cancer Treatments
Surgery allows doctors to remove the cancer, as well as lymph nodes or other tissues around the cancer. Your treatment plan could also include reconstructive surgery to restore the appearance of affected areas.
Radiation therapy targets abnormal cells with radiation, which damages them and keeps them from reproducing.
Chemotherapy uses medication to kill cancer cells to slow down their growth and eliminate the disease.
Throat Cancer
Throat cancer is classified in three different ways – nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal – depending on which area in the throat the cancer appears.Nasopharyngeal cancer starts in the upper part of the throat, behind the nose. Oropharyngeal cancer begins in the middle part of the throat behind the mouth. Hypopharyngeal cancer begins in the bottom part of the throat behind the voice box.
Although these three cancers are different, they have similar risk factors, symptoms and treatment plans
Throat Cancer Risk Factors
Risk factors for throat cancer include:
- Smoking and chewing tobacco
- Excessive alcohol use
- HPV or Epstein-Barr infection
- A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Exposure to toxic substances at work
- Personal history of head and neck cancer
- Chewing betel quid, a stimulant commonly used in parts of Asia
Throat Cancer Signs and Symptoms
Some signs and symptoms of throat cancer include:
- Persistent sore throat or cough
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Ear pain
- Voice changes
- Lump in the back of the mouth, throat or neck
- Unexplained weight loss
- White patch in the mouth that does not go away
- Coughing up blood
If you think you may have throat cancer, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider.
Throat Cancer Treatments
Surgery allows doctors to remove the cancer, as well as lymph nodes or other tissues around the cancer.
Radiation therapy targets abnormal cells with radiation, which damages them and keeps them from reproducing.
Chemotherapy uses medication to kill cancer cells to slow down their growth and eliminate the disease.
Immunotherapy helps your body create more immune cells, which find and kill cancer cells.
Nasal and Sinus Cancer
Nasal cancer forms in your nasal cavity, the area directly behind your nose. Very nearby are the paranasal sinuses, a system of hollow spaces in your skull that connect to the nasal cavity and help condition the air you breathe in, contribute to vocal resonance and protect against infections. Cancer that begins there is called paranasal sinus cancer or sinus cancer.
Nasal and Sinus Cancer Risk Factors
Some factors put you at a higher risk of developing nasal and sinus cancer, including:
- Being male and over 40 years old
- Exposure to workplace chemicals like wood dust, leather dust, nickel, chromium or formaldehyde
- Smoking tobacco
- HPV or Epstein-Barr infection
- Family history
- Radiation therapy for retinoblastoma
Nasal and Sinus Cancer Signs & Symptoms
Some signs of nasal and sinus cancer include:
- Chronic nasal congestion or sinus blockage, usually on one side
- Pain around the nose, eyes, ears, cheeks or forehead
- Nosebleeds
- Pus draining from the nose
- Growth on your nose, face, neck or roof of your mouth
- Difficulty smelling or hearing
- Eye concerns, like bulging eyes, blurred vision or double vision
If you experience these symptoms and are concerned it could be cancer, talk to your primary care provider right away.
Nasal and Sinus Cancer Treatments
Surgery allows doctors to remove the tumor, as well as some of the surrounding tissue if needed.
Radiation therapy targets abnormal cells with radiation, which damages them and keeps them from reproducing.
Chemotherapy uses medication to kill cancer cells to slow down their growth and eliminate the disease.
Laryngeal Cancer
The larynx is a part of the throat between the base of the tongue and the trachea. It contains the vocal cords, which vibrate and make sound when air is directed against them to make a person’s voice. When cells begin to grow uncontrollably in this area, tumors can form, and you may be diagnosed with laryngeal cancer.
Laryngeal Cancer Risk Factors
Many factors can determine the likelihood of developing laryngeal cancer, including:
- Tobacco use
- Moderate to heavy alcohol consumption
- Older age
- Exposure to certain toxins and substances
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables
- Having excess weight on the body
Laryngeal Cancer Signs & Symptoms
Some signs and symptoms of laryngeal cancer include:
- Persistent sore throat or cough
- Trouble or pain when swallowing
- Ear pain
- Lump in the neck or throat
- Change or hoarseness in the voice
Since these can also be indicators of other conditions, check with your primary care provider so they can determine the cause.
Laryngeal Cancer Treatments
Surgery allows doctors to remove the tumor, as well as some of the surrounding tissue if needed.
Radiation therapy targets abnormal cells with radiation, which damages them and keeps them from reproducing.
Chemotherapy uses medication to kill cancer cells to slow down their growth and eliminate the disease.
Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to attack cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Radiosensitizers make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy.
Salivary Gland Cancer
The salivary glands in your mouth are responsible for creating saliva, which aids in digestion and helps maintain oral health. If cells on the glands begin to grow uncontrollably, they could form a cancerous tumor. Salivary gland cancer is rare.
Salivary Gland Cancer Risk Factors
Many factors can determine the likelihood of developing salivary gland cancer, including:
- Being male and age 55 or older
- Smoking
- Frequent alcohol use
- Radiation therapy to your head or neck.
- Working certain jobs, including plumbing, rubber products manufacturing, asbestos mining and leatherwork
Salivary Gland Cancer Signs & Symptoms
It’s possible to show no signs of salivary gland cancer, but most people develop a painless lump on the gland.
Other symptoms of salivary gland cancer include:
- Weakness, numbness or consistent pain in your face, neck, jaw or mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth or moving facial muscles
- Difficulty swallowing
- Bleeding from your mouth
If you think you may have salivary gland cancer, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider.
Salivary Gland Cancer Treatments
Surgery allows doctors to remove the tumor, as well as some of the surrounding tissue if needed.
Radiation therapy targets abnormal cells with radiation, which damages them and keeps them from reproducing.
Chemotherapy uses medication to kill cancer cells to slow down their growth and eliminate the disease.
Immunotherapy helps your body create more immune cells, which find and kill cancer cells.
Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to attack cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Radiosensitizers make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy.