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Head and neck cancers affect the mouth, throat, and voice box. They affect the organs of speaking, breathing, and eating which are crucial areas of the body. Being informed about these different types of cancers can make the difference in your head and neck health.
Physicians take great care with these types of cancer and form individualized treatment options for their patients. Keeping up with your head and neck health can assist your doctor in spotting signs and symptoms early on.
Here you’ll learn about head and neck cancers and become aware of the signs and symptoms of them. Topics include:
- Types of Head and Neck Cancers
- HPV and Head and Neck Cancer: What’s the Link?
- What Is Thyroid Cancer: Know the Facts
- Head and Neck Cancer Treatment: New Approaches
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string(4205) "A brain tumor isn't the only kind of cancer that can affect your head. In fact, there are several different forms of cancer that can occur in your head or neck. Understanding these types of head and neck cancer can help you better understand their risks, symptoms, and diagnosis. Head and neck cancers include those that form in the:
- Salivary glands - These glands are located in the floor of the mouth near the jawbone
- Oral cavity - Cancers can grow in or on the lips, tongue, gums, inner lining of the cheeks, and hard palate
- Pharynx - Also known as the throat, this hollow tube is about five inches long and cancer can affect any of its three main sections
- Larynx - This passageway below the pharynx is also called the voice box and includes the vocal cords and epiglottis -- the small piece of tissue that prevents food from entering it
- Nasal cavity and sinuses - These hollow spaces are located inside and around the nose, respectively
Cancer can also affect the thyroid and parathyroid gland, as well as the lymph nodes within the neck (known as metastatic squamous neck cancer).
Are You at Risk for Head and Neck Cancer?
Some head and neck cancer risk factors are unavoidable. For example, you are more likely to develop these types of cancer if you are of Asian ancestry or have been infected with Epstein-Barr or the
human papilloma virus (HPV). Other risk factors aren't set in stone. The following factors can increase your risk of head and neck cancer — but are also within your control.
- Alcohol and tobacco - Use of these two substances (including chewing tobacco) is the number one modifiable risk factor for many types of head and neck cancer.
- Certain foods - People who consume preserved or salted foods regularly during childhood are more likely to develop some forms of head cancer. Consumption of the tea-like beverage mate is also associated with higher risk.
- Poor oral hygiene. Missing teeth and otherwise poor oral health appear to be connected to oral cancer risk.
- Occupational exposure. People who work in jobs where they are regularly exposed to wood dust, asbestos, synthetic fibers, or formaldehyde may be at higher risk for some head and neck cancers. These include jobs in the construction, logging, textile, and metal industries.
- Radiation exposure. If you have received radiation to the head or neck, you may be at increased risk for cancer of the salivary glands.
Head and Neck Cancer Symptoms
These head and neck cancer types can have symptoms such as:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hoarse voice
- Sore throat
- Trouble breathing or speaking
- White or red patches on the gums or lining of the mouth
- Sinus or ear pain
- Swelling
Doctors use a variety of tests to diagnose head and neck cancer, including a physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging tests. If you've been diagnosed with one of these conditions, your doctor can explain the head and neck cancer treatment options — including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and immunotherapy — that are right for you.
Learn more about different types of cancer and new treatments to help halt the spread of the disease. Visit
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center online or
contact us today.
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There are several different types of cancer that can occur in your head or neck. Understanding these head and neck cancer types can help you better understand their risks, symptoms and diagnosis. Learn more about these types of cancer and how you could be at risk.Read More
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string(3343) "These days, a growing number of people are aware that the human papilloma virus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer. Yet, fewer understand that there's also a link between oral cancer and HPV. Specifically, this infection is transmitted through normal sexual interactions, and increases the risk of oropharyngeal cancers, or cancers that develop in back of the throat.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Types and Strains
There are more than 100 related strains of HPV, which can affect different parts of the body. For example, some forms of HPV can cause warts on the hands, feet, or genitals, while others may cancer of the cervix, penis, or anus and still others lie dormant in the body without causing symptoms. This virus is incredibly common; an estimated 50 percent of sexually active people will become infected with it at some point in their lives.
HPV lives in the epithelial cells found in the skin, on the genitals, and in the mouth and throat. It can create unhealthy changes to these cells, setting the stage for cancer. In the case of oral cancer and HPV, it can take years for cancer to develop. It's not yet clear whether HPV alone can cause oropharyngeal cancer or if it interacts with other risk factors such as alcohol and tobacco use. Want to know more? Here are three frequently asked questions about the link between oral cancer and HPV.
How Common Is the Link Between Head and Neck Cancer and HPV?
Oropharyngeal cancer is commonly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), usually type 16 - there are over 100 subtypes of HPV, but only a few are associated with cancers. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about one percent of Americans harbor HPV-16 in the oral cavity, an infection which is nearly always cleared in healthy people and does no harm. However, in a very small proportion of people the virus remains persistent in the throat and is believed to cause about 9,000 cases of oropharyngeal cancer annually.
How Is HPV Transmitted?
It's still not entirely clear how oral HPV is transmitted. Some studies have shown that the virus can be spread through open-mouth ("French") kissing and through mouth to genital contact, but others have not.
How Can I Lower My Risk of HPV?
More research is needed on the ways in which health problems caused by oral HPV can be prevented. That said, use of condoms and dental dams may help slow the spread of HPV, although these methods aren't foolproof. The vaccines currently available prevent the infection by strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer. They may also help protect against oral HPV, but scientists don't yet know for sure.
Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field of cancer research. Visit UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to learn more.
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Few understand that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, can not only put your at risk for cervical cancer but also oral cancer. There are more than 100 related strains of HPV, which can affect different parts of the body. Read more to learn about the three frequently asked questions about the link between oral cancer and HPV.Read More
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string(3555) "It may be a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, but the thyroid — and conditions associated with it — can affect your whole body. For instance, the thyroid produces hormones that help regulate your:
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Weight
Once fairly rare,
thyroid cancer is becoming more common in the United States, possibly due to increased awareness of the disease and advances in screening technology. Indeed, most cases are detected during a physical exam or through diagnostic imaging tests.
Types of Thyroid Cancer
There are four main thyroid cancer types:
Papillary. The most common form of thyroid cancer, this condition occurs in the follicular cells of the thyroid gland, which produce and store thyroid hormone. It typically affects women ages 20 to 40 and has a good prognosis.
Follicular. This form of cancer also originates in the follicular cells. It is more likely to occur in women, particularly those over age 50, and is slightly more aggressive than papillary cancer.
Medullary. A less-common type of thyroid cancer, this form occurs in cells called C cells and often has a genetic component.
Anaplastic. This rare form of cancer usually affects older adults and can grow rapidly.
Many people with thyroid cancer don't experience any signs of the disease. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Neck or throat pain
- A hoarse voice
- A lump that can be felt when touching the neck
Thyroid Cancer Is A Treatable Disease
When it comes to thyroid cancer, there's good news: The majority of cases can be cured with
treatment, especially if they are caught early. There are a number of treatment options available, including:
- Surgery: Most people with thyroid cancer end up having some or all of their thyroid gland surgically removed. Your surgeon may also remove lymph nodes in the neck to determine whether cancer has spread. Following surgery, you must take thyroid hormone medication (such as levothyroxine) for the rest of your life.
- Radiation: Radioactive iodine therapy may be used to destroy remaining cancerous tissue following surgery or to treat cancer that has spread or recurred. It involves taking high doses of radioactive iodine in pill or liquid form. External beam radiation therapy is an option for people who can't undergo surgery, whose cancer has not responded to other treatments, of whose cancer has spread to the bones.
- Medication: If you have advanced thyroid cancer, your physician may recommend drugs that directly target cancerous cells.
Your physician can help you weigh the risks and benefits of these and other approaches to determine the type of treatment that's best for you.
If you have questions about cancer and cancer risks, visit the
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center online or schedule an appointment with an expert.
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string(330) "The thyroid, a gland in your neck, and the conditions associated with it can affect your whole body. Thyroid cancer is becoming more common in the United States and there are four main types of the disease. The majority of cases can be cured, especially when caught early. Read more about thyroid cancer and its treatment options."
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The thyroid, a gland in your neck, and the conditions associated with it can affect your whole body. Thyroid cancer is becoming more common in the United States and there are four main types of the disease. The majority of cases can be cured, especially when caught early. Read more about thyroid cancer and its treatment options.Read More
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string(1116) "Have you checked your head and neck health recently? If you haven't, now is the time. With over 20,000 cases per year in the U.S., head and neck cancers are not something to be overlooked. These cancers start in the tissues and organs of the head and neck, which include your thyroid, larynx, throat, lips, mouth, and more. As the number of cases increase every year, education is increasingly essential in the fight against these cancers. Recognizing the signs and symptoms can allow you to catch the diseases early and help lead to a more successful treatment. Check out our infographic below, where James Ohr, DO of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center shares some of the risk factors, symptoms and treatments of head and neck cancer.
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With over 20,000 cases per year, head and neck cancers are not something to be overlooked. Recognizing the signs is essential in early diagnosis, which aids in successful treatment. Read more to discover the risks, symptoms, and treatment options for head and neck cancers.View Infographic
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string(3721) "If you've been diagnosed with a type of head or neck cancer, you probably have a lot of questions about what to expect. A diagnosis of any type of cancer can be frightening, and these forms are no exception. Fortunately, there are several options for head and neck cancer treatment. Here's what you need to know to help you and your physician make an informed decision.
Types of Head and Neck Cancer
Treatment of head or neck cancer can depend on the type of the disease. There are several different types of these cancers, including:
- Salivary glands - These glands are located in the floor of the mouth near the jawbone.
- Oral cavity - Cancers can grow in or on the lips, tongue, gums, inner lining of the cheeks, and hard palate.
- Pharynx - Also known as the throat, this hollow tube is about five inches long. Cancer can affect any of its three main sections.
- Larynx - This passageway below the pharynx is also called the voice box. It includes the vocal cords and epiglottis, the small piece of tissue that prevents food from entering it.
- Nasal cavity and sinuses - These hollow spaces are located inside and around the nose, respectively.
Head and Neck Cancer Treatments
A number of other factors can influence the kind of head and neck cancer treatment your doctor recommends, such as the stage of the cancer (how advanced it is), how quickly it grows, where it is located, and whether or not it has spread to other parts of the body. Depending on these factors and on your general health, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Surgery: Some people with head or neck cancer may have the tumor and cancerous tissue surgically removed. Your surgeon may also remove nearby lymph nodes to determine whether cancer has spread.
- Radiation: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to help kill cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: This type of head and neck cancer treatment involves the use of drugs, either injected into the body or taken by mouth, to destroy cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy: Researchers continue to discover exciting new treatments for cancer, including head and neck cancer. One of these approaches, called immunotherapy, harnesses the power of a patient's immune system to fight cancer. In the case of head and neck cancers, physicians may use medications to target specific molecules that either block or stimulate certain immune responses. As a result, immunotherapy may help stimulate your own immune system to destroy cancer cells.
Your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you based on your disease. You should consult your doctor about what techniques and head and neck cancer treatment may be the best options for you.
To learn more about new cancer research and treatment methods, visit
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center online or
contact us today.
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A diagnosis of any type of cancer can be frightening, and forms of head or neck cancer are no exception. Thankfully, there are several treatment options for these forms of cancer. Read more about what treatment best suits your type of disease.Watch Now
