Head and Neck Cancer

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Head & Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancers can have many different names depending on where the cancer starts. Head and neck cancers includes cancers that start in the throat, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, oral cavity, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and salivary glands.

According to Cancer.net, Head and neck cancer accounts for about 4% of all cancers in the United States. This year, an estimated 66,630 people (48,740 men and 17,890 women) will develop head and neck cancer.

What Are The Risk Factors For Head And Neck Cancer?

It may be possible to avoid some risk factors for head and neck cancer, but some are out of your control. The best plan is to catch it early. Lifestyle and hereditary factors include:

Smoking (leading risk factor)
Alcohol use
Poor nutrition
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Human papillomavirus infection (HPV)
Previous radiation to the chest/lungs/mouth/nose/throat
Personal history of head and neck cancer
Epstein-Barr virus infection
Genetic syndromes
Workplace exposures
Family history of head and neck cancer
Gender/Age/Race/Where you live

Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer Include:

Hoarseness or voice changes
A sore throat that does not go away
Pain when swallowing
Trouble swallowing
Ear pain – one or both
Hearing loss/ringing in ears/fullness felling in the ear
Recurrent ear infections
Trouble breathing/talking
Weight loss
A lump or mass in the neck (because the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes)
A lump or swelling in your mouth, cheek, or jaw
Pain in your mouth, cheek, or jaw that does not go away
A difference between the size and/or shape of the left and right sides of your face or neck
Numbness in part of your face
Weakness of the muscles on one side of your face
Trouble opening your mouth widely
Fluid draining from an ear
Nasal congestion and stuffiness that doesn’t get better or even worsens
Pain above or below the eyes
Blockage of one side of the nose
Post-nasal drip (nasal drainage in the back of the nose and throat)
Nosebleeds
Pus draining from the nose
Problems with your sense of smell
Loosening or numbness of teeth
A lump or mass on the face, palate (top of the mouth), or inside the nose
Constant watery eyes
Bulging of one eye
Loss or change in vision/blurry/double
Headaches

Many of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by conditions other than a type of head and neck cancer.

Treating Head & Neck Cancer with Radiation

Radiation can be used before head and neck cancer surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to kill any cancer cells left in the area. It is often delivered in conjunction with chemotherapy and targeted mediations. Head and neck cancers occur when cancerous cells develop in the head and neck area, including the mouth, throat, and nasal cavity. Usually, cancers of the head and neck begin in the moist lining of mucosal surfaces or the tissue lining of organs with hollow openings. Treatments are scheduled Monday through Friday over the course of several weeks. In some cases, we can delivery higher doses of radiation in fewer treatments.

Your treatment is custom-tailored and unique to your diagnosis, tumor size, location and involvement. Your radiation oncologist (a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation) will review all available treatment options and recommend a personalized plan for you based on national guidelines, which guide all cancer treatments. Radiation therapy is used either alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery.

Benefits of Radiation Therapy:

Pain Free Treatment Delivery
Non-Invasive
Custom Tailored Treatment Plan
Little to No Side Effects
Immediate Return to Daily Activities
Minimal Radiation Exposure to Adjacent Healthy Tissue

Possible Side Effects Of Head & Neck Radiation Therapy:

Fatigue
Mouth sores
Mouth infection (oral thrush)
Taste changes
Loss of appetite
Dry mouth and thick saliva
Hoarseness
Swallowing difficulties
Skin redness, burning and pain in the area treated
Breathing difficulties
Weight loss

Why Choose OncoLogics for Head & Neck Cancer Care?

At OncoLogics, we understand that head and neck cancer treatment requires precision, coordination and compassionate support. Our experienced oncology team provides personalized care using advanced radiation therapy techniques designed to precisely target tumors while helping protect surrounding healthy tissue and critical structures. We are committed to delivering nationally guided treatment plans focused on both effective outcomes and quality of life.

Experienced oncology specialists focused on head and neck cancer treatment
Personalized treatment plans tailored to your diagnosis, tumor size and location
Advanced radiation therapy technology designed for precision and accuracy
Compassionate, patient-centered support throughout every stage of care
National guideline-based treatment recommendations and planning
Coordination with surgery, chemotherapy and additional specialists when needed

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