Head and neck cancers are among the types of cancer that can be treated when diagnosed early. The vast majority of head and neck cancers present symptoms in the early stages. If symptoms are noticed early and a doctor is consulted promptly, it becomes easier for the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis in a timely manner.
Head and neck cancers include cancers of the oral cavity—such as the lips, inner cheeks, gums, palate, tongue, floor of the mouth, skin of the nostrils, and nasal lining—as well as nasopharyngeal cancers found in the uppermost part of the throat, paranasal sinus cancers that develop within the air-filled spaces (sinuses) located in the facial bones around the nose, oropharyngeal cancers in the area connecting the back of the nose to the throat, hypopharyngeal cancers in the slightly lower part of the throat, and laryngeal cancers in the area below that, as well as cancers of the ear lobe and the external auditory canal, and cancers of the salivary glands.
Causes
Smoking, chewing tobacco, alcoholism, and poor nutrition are the primary causes of head and neck cancers. Prolonged exposure to sunlight is associated with lip cancer. Some cancers, such as nasopharyngeal cancer, are linked to factors like the Epstein-Barr virus. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the most common disease found in the genital area and known to be transmitted through sexual contact, is also associated with certain cancers in the head and neck region. Recent studies indicate that 25% of oral cancers and 35% of throat cancers may be linked to HPV.
Head and neck cancers are more common in men and in people over the age of 50.
Symptoms
Swelling in any part of the head or neck (usually painless and gradually enlarging), non-healing sores inside the mouth, on the tongue, or on the lips, a sensation of numbness in the mouth, difficulty chewing and swallowing, persistent hoarseness or changes in voice, difficulty breathing, persistent nasal congestion or nosebleeds, swelling around the eyes or double vision, persistent ear pain, ringing in the ears, or hearing difficulties, and swelling in the neck.
Diagnosis
The specialist conducts an examination based on the patient’s symptoms.
- The mouth and throat are examined using a mirror.
- The nose and throat are examined using a device called an endoscope.
- A tissue sample is taken from the suspicious area for pathological examination (local or general anesthesia may be required). Sometimes, radiological examinations (ultrasound, CT, or MRI) may be necessary before a biopsy is taken.
Treatment
The treatment of head and neck cancers generally requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Surgery is the first-line treatment for head and neck cancers. However, radiation therapy is also a highly effective option for many head and neck cancers. Today, the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of laryngeal and nasopharyngeal cancers is growing day by day. In some cases, treatment with a single primary method (surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy) may be sufficient, while in others, more effective treatment is required, making combination therapies possible.
The treatment protocol may vary for each patient. The stage and type of cancer, the patient’s age, gender, physical condition, and functional status, as well as the patient’s socioeconomic status, are important factors in treatment planning.