Head & Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancers vary widely in type and origin, which makes a personalized plan essential. At Mission Oncology Partners, your treatment is built around where your cancer started and how it is likely to respond.
About head and neck cancer
Of all the new cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S. in the coming year, the American Cancer Society estimates that about three to five percent will be located in the head and neck region.
The type of cancer and the origin of the cancer cells can vary a great deal from person to person. Because the response to different treatments varies right along with it, personalized treatment is not a nicety here — it is a necessity. Your plan accounts for the type of cancer, its size and stage, where it started and your overall health.
Common treatments include radiation therapy and surgery, and in many cases the two are used together to improve the chance of curing the cancer. Medical therapy may be added as well.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms depend on where the cancer started, its type and stage, and your overall health. These are among the most common — if something in the head and neck region has changed and is not resolving, schedule a screening.
- Swelling of the head or neck
- A sore on the skin that does not heal
- Nasal obstruction or congestion
- Sore throat
- Difficulty breathing, chewing or swallowing
- Loss of teeth
- Fatigue
- Sudden or unexplained weight loss
When to call
These symptoms have many possible causes, most of them not cancer. But they are worth a conversation. If something has changed and hasn't resolved, contact your primary care physician — early evaluation is what makes treatment straightforward.
How we treat it
Radiation therapy uses targeted radiation to kill cancer cells. When exposed to radiation, cancer cells become damaged and lose their ability to multiply, which stops the cancer from spreading and eventually kills off the affected cells. Healthy tissue in the path can be affected too, but healthy cells repair themselves rapidly — cancer cells do not.
External beam radiation therapy
This is a non-invasive procedure that uses a machine to direct targeted beams of radiation at the tumor from outside the body. It is the most common form of radiation therapy for head and neck cancers and can be used on its own or combined with surgery.
Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy)
In brachytherapy, a small surgical procedure places a small amount of radiation-emitting material next to the tumor. Because the source sits right at the target, treatment is precise and highly localized.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy typically uses one to three drugs that target cancer cells, altering them so they cannot grow and divide. Dosage levels and treatment frequency vary from patient to patient. A medical oncologist evaluates you first to determine which medications will work best.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy focuses anti-cancer treatment at the molecular level, acting on factors such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to combat cancer cells. It can be used alongside radiation treatment.
Surgery
To remove a tumor from the head or neck, your surgeon first performs a biopsy to assess the stage and how far the cancer has spread. During surgery, the surgeon is usually able to remove the entire tumor along with a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue. If the cancer is at a later stage or has spread, lymph nodes in the neck may need to be removed as well.
What treatment involves
Your plan is built for your specific cancer, so the schedule varies. Your physician will tell you which combination of treatments is recommended, in what order, and how long the course will run before anything begins.
See a dentist before treatment starts. Dry mouth is a possible side effect of cancer treatment, and it raises the risk of cavities and infection. Radiation therapy can also slow the jaw bone's ability to heal itself. Because of that, we strongly recommend getting any necessary dental work done before you begin treatment.
Possible side effects
Side effects are usually temporary and typically resolve shortly after treatment ends. Tell your care team about any discomfort — managing it is part of the treatment, not an interruption to it.
- Dry mouth, which raises the risk of cavities and oral infection
- Slower healing in the jaw bone
- Difficulty or discomfort chewing and swallowing
- Skin changes in the treated area
- Fatigue
Caring for yourself during treatment
- Rest when you need to, and don't hesitate to ask for help.
- Follow your care team's advice — and ask when anything is unclear.
- Tell us about every medication, vitamin and supplement you take.
- Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids.
- Treat skin in the treatment area gently: no sun, no hot or cold packs, and only lotions your team has approved.
- Lean on support groups, family and friends. Coping is part of treatment.
Trusted resources
- Head and Neck Cancer Alliance — www.headandneck.org
- Oral Cancer Foundation — www.oralcancerfoundation.org
- Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer — www.spohnc.org
- Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association — www.thyca.org
Clinical background adapted from materials by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (rtanswers.org) and the American Cancer Society.
Cancers We Treat
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