Head and neck cancer affects over 55,000 Americans each year, and accounts for three percent of all cancers.
This includes cancers of the mouth, nose, sinuses, salivary glands, throat and lymph nodes in the neck. But most begin in the moist tissues that line the mouth, nose and throat.
Tobacco and alcohol use cause most problems, but sun exposure, HPV and radiation exposure can also cause the cancer.
Cancer of the head and neck is curable if caught early.
Head and neck cancer symptoms include:
- A lump or sore that doesn’t heal
- A sore throat that doesn’t go away
- Trouble swallowing
- A change or hoarseness in your voice
Tobacco use causes 85 percent of head and neck cancers. This includes smoking and smokeless tobacco. Drinking alcohol also increases your risk.
Found early, head and neck cancers are often curable.
Treatments include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Combination of the above
These can affect eating, speaking and breathing, so rehabilitation may be needed.
Symptoms and signs can occur with no cancer present. But you won’t know without an examination. And early diagnosis will result in more effective treatment.
