Head & Neck Cancer Treatment

Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) ranks at the 7th position in the list of the most common cancers affecting people across the globe. Every year, more than 660,000 cases are Diagnosed worldwide with the majority of the patients being males. Head and Neck Cancer is usually diagnosed in people above 50 years of age, and are rarely seen in young children.

What is Head & Neck Cancer?
Head & Neck Cancer refers to all the malignancies that develop within the neck and areas around it, i.e. Lrynx, Nose, Mouth, and Sinuses. These can be of several different types, classified on the basis of the area of origin and the type of cells involved. Most head & neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, i.e. these develop from the flat squamous cells that line the internal structures of the head and neck. Common types of Head & Neck Cancer include:

• Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer
• Paranasal cancer 
• Nasopharyngeal cancer 
• Oral cancer 
• Salivary gland cancer 

Symptoms that could be an indication of Head & Neck Cancer
Various symptoms that could be an indication of Head & Neck Cancer include:

• Swelling in areas of the mouth and neck
• Development of sores that do not heal
• An abnormal lump or mass
• Soreness in the throat
• Bad breath that is not linked to hygiene 
• Hoarseness 
• Nasal blockage 
• Frequent nose bleeds 

When should you see a Specialist?
It is advisable to see a specialist as soon as you detect any of the above-mentioned symptoms. All these may suggest that you have head & neck cancer but are not definitive. In order to confirm whether a patient has head & neck cancer or not, doctors perform some physical examinations and tests. The sooner you consult a specialist, your prognosis would be quicker and you would have a better chance to overcome it.

What causes Head & Neck Cancer? 
Head & Neck Cancer is the result of certain changes in the DNA of the cells lining the head and neck cavity. These changes or mutations are responsible for uncontrollable cell growth that leads to the spread of cancer cells. There is not just one factor, but several different factors that may be responsible for such mutations. These include:

• Excessive tobacco use 
• Heavy drinking
• Long-term exposure to the sun
• HPV or human papillomavirus infection
• Infection with EBV or Epstein-Barr virus 
• Family history of head & neck cancer 
• Personal history of cancer 

Diagnostic interventions available for Head & Neck Cancer 

• Physical examination
• Endoscopy 
• Head MRI 
• Computerized tomography or CT scan of the sinuses 
• PET-CT scan 
• Dental cone beam CT

Treatments available for Head & Neck Cancer

• Surgery (procedures like partial laryngectomy, total Laryngectomy, Pharyngectomy, Cordectomy, and vocal cord stripping)
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted drug therapy 
• Immunotherapy