What you need to know about Head and Neck Cancer

Do you often have a sore throat, a change in your voice, or a sore in your mouth that doesn't heal? You might think it's just a common cold. But these minor symptoms can sometimes be a sign of something serious. Today we're going to talk about "head and neck cancer," which many people don't pay much attention to, but early detection is very important.

Simply put, what is head and neck cancer?

"Head and neck cancer" is not a single type of cancer. We use this name collectively for several types of cancer that start in different places in your head and neck area. Most of these start in a type of cell that lines the moist membranes inside your mouth, throat (pharynx), larynx, and nose. We medically call these cells squamous cells . That's why many of these cancers are called Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) .

If you are diagnosed with this type of cancer, your oncologist will work with you to decide what treatment options are best for you. The main goal here is to preserve as much of the body parts that help us talk, eat, and express facial expressions as possible while fighting the disease.

What are the main places where these cancers occur?

When we talk about head and neck cancer, it mainly includes cancers that develop in your mouth, throat, and other areas around it. Let's take a look at what they are.

What could be the symptoms of these cancers?

The symptoms of head and neck cancer are often subtle in the early stages. They may feel like a simple sore throat or a cold. However , a persistent sore throat is the most common symptom of these cancers.

Depending on the type of cancer, you may experience the following symptoms:

• A persistent sore throat.
• Persistent earache or signs of an ear infection (especially if your doctor examines your ear and it appears normal).
• Frequent headaches.
• Pain that doesn't go away in the face or neck.
• Pain in the upper teeth.
• Pain when chewing or swallowing food.
• Hoarseness or change in voice.
• Difficulty breathing or speaking.

You may also notice some visible changes on the outside :

• A lump in the throat, mouth, or neck.
• A sore in the mouth or tongue that does not heal.
• Frequent nosebleeds, blood in saliva or mucus.
• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or inside the mouth.
• Swelling in the jaw, neck, or side of the face (this may cause your dentures to not fit properly).

Why do these cancers develop? What are the risk factors?

Like any cancer, head and neck cancer begins when a normal cell becomes abnormal (malignant) and begins to divide uncontrollably. This mass of cells forms a tumor. This tumor can invade surrounding tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

In this way, researchers have identified several key risk factors that can cause a normal cell to become a cancer cell.

Main risk factors

• Tobacco use: Tobacco use is responsible for 70% to 80% of head and neck cancers worldwide. This includes smoking cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff. Exposure to secondhand smoke also increases the risk.
• Excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol also increases your risk, especially if you use alcohol with tobacco.
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV): HPV infection is now surpassing tobacco use as the leading risk factor for head and neck cancer in developed countries.
• Betel chewing: Betel chewing is a very common habit in South and Southeast Asia, including our country. More than half of the head and neck cancers in this region are caused by betel chewing. The risk of oral cancer is very high when betel, lime, and tobacco are combined.

Other risk factors

• Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): Infection with this virus can cause nasopharyngeal cancer or salivary gland cancer.
• Weakened immune system: When the immune system is weakened, the body's ability to fight cancer decreases. There is a risk of cancer due to weakened immunity, such as HIV infection and after surgeries such as organ transplants.
• Genetic causes: Some genes can increase the risk of cancer. For example, people with Fanconi anemia have an increased risk of developing head and neck cancer.
• Long-term exposure to carcinogenic substances:Long-term exposure to things like asbestos, pesticides, wood dust, and paint fumes can cause cancer.
• Exposure to radiation: Having previously received radiation therapy to the head or neck area is also a risk factor.
• Salted and preserved foods: Regular consumption of salted and preserved meat and fish may increase the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.
• Neglecting oral health: Not taking proper care of your teeth and gums increases the risk of oral cancer.

How does a doctor diagnose this disease?

Diagnosis usually begins with a physical examination. The doctor will carefully examine your mouth, nasal passages, throat, and neck. He or she will also feel for any lumps on your neck, lips, gums, and cheeks.

After that test, you may need to have several more tests.

• Endoscopy: This involves using a thin, lighted tube to examine the inside of your nasal cavity, throat, or larynx.
• Imaging tests: Tests such as head and neck X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans can detect tumors inside the body.
• Laboratory tests: If you see anything suspicious, an HPV test can be done to check if the cancer is caused by the HPV virus.
• Biopsy: The only way to be 100% sure whether a lump is cancerous or not is to have a biopsy. This involves taking a small piece of tissue from the lump and testing it for cancer cells.

How is cancer treated?

The main treatments for head and neck cancer are:

• Surgery: Whenever possible, surgeons try to remove the cancerous tumor and a small amount of healthy tissue around it. If there is a suspicion that the cancer has spread, the lymph nodes in the neck may also be removed.
• Radiation Therapy: This involves directing high-energy X-rays at cancer cells to destroy them. Radiation therapy may be given alone or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery and chemotherapy.
• Chemotherapy: This uses drugs to kill cancer cells. This treatment is especially used in advanced stages of cancer where the cancer has spread.

In addition to these main treatments, your doctor may recommend other treatments if the cancer is advanced or if it recurs after treatment.

• Targeted Therapy: These drugs act on specific targets of cancer cells and stop their growth.
• Immunotherapy:These drugs help your body's own immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells.
• Clinical Trials: These are studies that test the safety and effectiveness of new treatments. Ask your doctor if you can participate in one.

Can this cancer be prevented?

Of course you can. You can take steps to prevent most head and neck cancers. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself:

• Avoid tobacco completely. Quit smoking cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and chewing gum.
• Limit your alcohol intake. Reducing or completely stopping alcohol consumption can reduce your risk of cancer.
• Get the HPV vaccine. This vaccine helps protect against cancer-causing strains of the HPV virus.
• Protect yourself from the sun. Applying sunscreen and wearing clothing that covers your skin when you are in the sun can help protect you from skin cancer.
• Take care of your oral health. Brush your teeth daily and keep your gums healthy.