Head and Neck cancer

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Head and Neck cancer

The way a particular head and neck cancers behave and depends on the site in which it arises such as mouth, sinuses, nose and the throat. Head and Neck Cancer is a common form of cancer in India and other developing countries. Ever year more than one lakh case has been diagnosed in India. The most common type of cancer in the head and neck is squamous cell carcinoma.

Types of Head and Neck cancer

Head and neck cancer has multiple types which are Oral cavity, Pharynx(Throat),Larynx(voice Box),Paranasal sinuses, Nasal cavity, Salivary gland.

Oral cavity: which Includes the lips, front two-thirds of the tongue and the gums, the lining inside the cheeks and lips, the bottom of the mouth under the tongue, the hard palate of a bony top of the mouth and the small area of the gum behind the wisdom teeth.

Throat (pharynx):The throat (pharynx) is a hollow tube about 12.7 centimetres long that starts behind the nose and leads to the esophagus. Pharynx divided into 3 regions which are nasopharynx- the upper part of the throat and behind the nose. Oropharynx- the middle part of the throat which includes the soft palate back of the mouth and base of the tongue. Laryngopharynx- tonsils and lower part of the throat.

Voice box (larynx): The voice box is a short passageway formed by cartilage just below the pharynx in the neck. The voice box contains the vocal cords. It also has a small piece of tissue, called epiglottis, which moves to cover the voice box to prevent food from entering the air passages.

Paranasal Sinuses: paranasal sinuses are small hollow spaces in the bones of the head.

Nasal Cavity: The hollow space inside the nose.

Salivary glands: The major salivary glands are in the floor of the mouth and near the jawbone. The salivary glands produce saliva.

What can be the common causes for Head & Neck Cancers

Alcohol and Tobacco use: These are two most important risk factors including smoke and smokeless tobacco (Chewing tobacco or snuff)

HPV: Human papilloma virus which involves oropharyngeal cancers

Paan: The use of paan in the mouth is strongly associated with an increased risk of mouth cancers.

Underlying Genetic disorders: Some genetic disorders, such as Fanconi anaemia, can increase the risk of developing precancerous lesions and cancers in early life

What are the common symptom to be noticed for Head & Neck Cancer

Pain and changes in the fit of dentures in case of oral cavity of cancer

A very long non- healing ulcer, Difficulty in swallowing or nasal blockage could also be a warning signs

Neck Mass (Not an early sign)

White or read patch in the mouth

Change in voice or Hoarseness

Jaw pain

Sign and symptoms may very with the location of the primary site and the stage of the cancer the early warning signs could lead to an early diagnose and a high probability of better outcome.

How can we Diagnosed head & Neck cancer

Head and Neck Cancer diagnosis can be done through cancer screening exams. Some of the commonly used diagnostic tests are:

Physical Examination: During a physical examination, the doctor feels for any lumps on the neck, lips, gums, and cheeks. The nose, mouth, throat, and tongue are also inspected for abnormalities. Blood and urine tests may be advised to help diagnose cancer.

Endoscopy: This allows the doctor to examine inside the body via a thin, lighted, flexible tube called an endoscope. The person may be sedated as the tube is gently inserted through the nose into the throat and down the oesophagus to examine inside the head and neck.

Biopsy: A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. During this procedure, cells are withdrawn using a thin needle inserted directly into the tumour or lymph node. The cells are examined under a microscope for cancer cells, which is called a cytological examination.

Molecular testing of tumour: It may be recommended to run laboratory tests on a tumour sample to identify specific genes, proteins, and other factors unique to the tumour. This will determine if the treatment options include a type of treatment called targeted therapy.

Imaging: Ultrasound, MRI, CT Scan, or PET-CT could be recommended to get detailed images of the affected region.

What are treatment options for My Head & Neck Cancers.

There are three main types of treatment options for managing Head and Neck cancers.
Radiation therapy, Surgery and Chemotherapy but the Radiation Therapy is as the only primary treatment. To shrink a cancerous tumor.

Typically one of the following radiation therapy procedure can be used to treat Head & Neck cancer.

External Beam therapy (EBT)

A method for delivering a beam of high – energy X-rays or proton beams to the location of the tumour. The radiation beam is generated outside the patient and is targeted at the tumour site. These radiation beams can destroy the cancer cells.

Intensity -modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

An advanced mode of high-precision radiotherapy that utilizes computer- controlled x-ray accelerators to deliver precise radiation doses to a malignant tumor or specific areas within the tumor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is at risk of getting breast cancer?

Any women can get breast cancer. However, here are some factors that may increase a woman's chances of getting the disease:

Getting older (50 years of age or older)
Having a first menstrual period at a young age (younger than 12 years)
Starting menopause at an older age (older than 55 years)
Not having children, or giving birth to a first child after age 30
Not breastfeeding
Having a close family member (parent, sibling, child) who has had breast cancer, especially at an early age
Having certain gene mutations (BRCA 1 or BRCA 2)
Being overweight or obese or not getting enough exercise
Alcohol consumption
Exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation to the chest area early in life
Long-term use of hormone replacement therapy

Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean you will surely get breast cancer. Many women do not have any risk factors. Therefore, screening is important for all women.

How can I lower my chances of getting breast cancer?

There is no assured way to completely prevent breast cancer, however, there are ways to lower your risk. These include:

Consuming less alcohol
Regular exercise
Maintaining healthy weight
Exclusive breast feeding during your baby's first 6 months, and continuing for 12 months or longer
Regular check-ups and screening tests to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment works best

How often should I do a breast self-exam (BSE)?

Every woman should conduct a self a breast self-exam once a month. It should be performed 7-10 days after menstrual cycle begins when breasts are least tender and lumpy. If you have attained menopause, then select a particular day of every month to perform this exam. You have to look for a change from last month’s exam to this month. If you discover any changes or a persistent lump in your breast, see a doctor immediately. Though most of the lumps are benign, all need assessment to rule out cancer.

Is mammography painful? Can it cause breast cancer to spread?

Mammography can sometimes cause slight discomfort for a very brief period of time as it involves compression of the breast. However, there is no evidence that breast compression can spread the cancer. Ideally, mammograms are scheduled a week after woman’s menstrual cycle so that the breasts are less tender.

Head and Neck cancer