Oral, Head & Neck Cancer: Understanding Symptoms & Treatments

April 14^th – 20^th is Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. Although these types of cancers don’t typically get a lot of publicity, in 2012 alone, there were more than 100,000 cases reported in the United States. Cancers of the head and neck region are fairly uncommon, but they do pose a treatment challenge.

Cancers of the head and neck are classified by the area in which they originate, including in the oral cavity, salivary glands, paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, pharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharnyx, larynx and lymph nodes. Cancers of the brain, eye and thyroid, as well as those of the scalp, skin, muscles and bones of the head and neck are not usually grouped with cancers of the head and neck.

Common symptoms of oral, head and neck cancers in each of the areas where the cancers originate include:

Oral cavity: A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth; a swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable; any unusual bleeding or pain in the mouth.
 
Nasal cavity and sinuses: Sinuses that are blocked and do not clear, chronic sinus infections that do not respond to treatment with antibiotics, bleeding through the nose, frequent headaches, swelling or other trouble with the eyes, pain in the upper teeth, or problems with dentures.
 
Salivary glands: Swelling under the chin or around the jawbone; numbness or paralysis of the muscles in the face; or pain that does not go away in the face, chin, or neck.
 
Oropharynx and hypopharynx: Ear pain, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing. Change in voice quality.
 
Nasopharynx: Trouble breathing or speaking, frequent headaches, pain or ringing in the ears, or trouble hearing. Nosebleeds.
 
Larynx: Pain when swallowing, ear pain, hoarseness or raspy voice.

However, many of these symptoms listed above are also common indicators of other problems unrelated to cancer. Therefore, if you are experiencing any of the above, it is important to check with your doctor or dentist immediately. A doctor will evaluate a patient's medical history, perform a physical examination, and order diagnostic tests. These exams and tests are tailored toward the patient’s symptoms.   Typically one of the most important tests is a biopsy, in which a sample of the abnormal tissue is taken to confirm a diagnosis of cancer.

If you do have oral, head and neck cancer, there are many factors to consider when selecting the best treatment plan. This includes: the location of the tumor, the stage of the cancer and the person’s age and general medical condition. The three main types of treatments are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Typically, one, two or all three of these methods are used.

At Advanced Radiation Centers of New York (ARC) we specialize in radiation therapy. ARC was the first facility on the east coast, and the fourth facility in the entire world, to treat a patient with head and neck cancer with RapidArc Radiotherapy – the most sophisticated form of radiation precision and accuracy available today.

RapidArc was created to deliver ultra-precise image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) significantly faster than was previously possible with conventional IMRT. With the increased accuracy, there are fewer side effects, because collateral healthy tissues are shielded in an unprecedented manner.

At ARC, RapidArc is combined with Image Guided Radiation Therapy, or IGRT, as a highly precise targeting technology that allows day-to-day visualization of all tissues and organs in the head and neck area. As tumors begin to shrink during the treatment course, minor changes or shifts in the radiation beam can be made to ensure a more precise treatment. 

If you, a family member or a friend currently has Oral, Head and Neck Cancer or any of the potential symptoms, it is important that you get checked out and understand the treatment methods available.