What is head and neck cancer?

Head and neck cancer is a group of cancers that usually originate in the squamous cells that line the mouth, nose and throat. 

Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam to evaluate your condition. To confirm a diagnosis of cancer and determine if it has spread, you may undergo endoscopy, head MRI, CT of the sinuses, head CT, panoramic dental x-ray, dental cone beam CT, PET/CT or chest imaging. If none of these tests indicate cancer, no further action may be needed. However, your doctor may want to monitor your condition if your symptoms persist. If an abnormality is found and tests do not confirm it is benign, your doctor may order a biopsy.

Causes of head and neck cancer

 If you drink alcohol and smoke, you could develop head and neck cancer. At least 75% of head and neck cancers are caused by tobacco use and alcohol consumption. 

The risk of this cancer increases as people get older. You may be more likely to get these cancers if you are older than 45. They are more common in men than in women.

Other risk factors for head and neck cancers are:

• Consumption of certain salted or preserved foods during childhood.

• Poor oral hygiene can be mild risk factors for cancer and if you use a mouthwash with a high alcohol content, you may increase your own exposure to cancer. 

Head and neck cancer symptoms

Head and neck cancer symptoms may depend on where the cancer develops and how it spreads. The most commonly affected areas are the ears, nose and throat. Understand the risk factors for developing head and neck cancer.

In addition to physical signs of head and neck cancer, these tumors often cause symptoms that are similar to less serious conditions, like the common cold. If you you got changes in voice, headaches, sore throat or a cough may have symptoms of throat cancer. Other head and neck cancer symptoms include pain or ringing in the ears.
 

Common symptoms of head and neck cancer tumors include:

• A lump in the nose, neck or throat, with or without pain

• A persistent sore throat

• Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)

• Unexplained weight loss

• Frequent coughing

• Change in voice or hoarseness

• Ear pain or trouble hearing

• Headaches

• A red or white patch in the mouth 

• Bad breath that's unexplained by hygiene

• Nasal obstruction or persistent congestion

• Frequent nose bleeds or unusual discharge

• Trouble breathing

As a conclusion, if you experience headaches, you may have head cancer, also if you have a lump on you head, you could die. As a recomendation, if you have a sore throat, you should be careful.

If you feel discomfort in your ear it is better to get it checked out and jaw swelling, you should see doctor.

Head and neck cancer treatment

Radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy are the three main treatments for head and neck cancer. Generally, if you have this cancer, you should opt for surgery, since its goal is to kill or remove the cancer.

For patients with more advanced cancer, the result of cancer treatment will be more effective if chemotherapy and radiotherapy are administered at the same time.

You will be prescribed to take cisplatin and cetuximab if you go to radiotherapy sessions, but you may also be prescribed other drugs such as fluorouracil, carboplatin and paclitaxel. This is an incomplete list of medications, as your doctor may choose others.