What are head and neck cancers? (back to top)
Most head and neck cancers begin in the squamous cells that line the structures found in the head and neck. Squamous cells are flat cells that cover inside and outside surfaces of the body.
Cancers of the head and neck are further identified by the area in which they begin:
Oral cavity - this includes the lips, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the gums, the lining inside the cheeks and lips, the floor of the mouth under the tongue, the bony top of the mouth (hard palate), and the small area behind the wisdom teeth.
Salivary glands - these are located in several places: under the tongue, in front of the ears and under the jawbone, as well as in other parts of the upper digestive tract.
Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity - the paranasal sinuses are small hollow spaces in the bones of the head surrounding the nose. The nasal cavity is the hollow space inside the nose.
Pharynx - this is a hollow tube about five inches long that starts behind the nose and leads to the esophagus and trachea. The pharynx has three parts:
Nasopharynx is the upper part of the pharynx behind the nose.
Oropharynx is the middle part of the pharynx that includes the soft palate (the back of the mouth), the base of the tongue, and the tonsils.
Hypopharynx is the lower part of the pharynx.
Larynx - also called the voice box, is a short passageway formed by cartilage just below the pharynx in the neck. The larynx contains the vocal cords. It also has a small piece of tissue, the epiglottis, which moves to cover the larynx to prevent food from entering the air passages.
Lymph nodes in the upper part of the neck - sometimes squamous cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes of the upper neck. They may be associated with one of the above sites. They may also be found when there is no evidence of cancer in other parts of the head and neck and this is called an unknown primary.
Head and neck cancer treatment options(back to top)
Your treatment plan will depend on the location of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, your age, and your general health. Whatever treatment plan your physician specifies, you will have the resources of the Brown Cancer Center’s state-of-the-art technology and most advanced methods of treatment. Treatment options may include one or a combination of the following:
Surgery
The first objective of surgery is to remove the tumor and some of the healthy tissue around it. This procedure reduces the chance that cancer cells will be left in the area.
The second objective of surgery is to evaluate the lymph nodes, if your physician team suspects the cancer has spread. Surgery may be followed by radiation treatment or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.
Head and neck surgery often changes your ability to chew, swallow or talk. You may look different after surgery, and your face and neck may be swollen. The swelling usually goes away within a few weeks.
However, lymph node dissection can slow the flow of lymph, which may collect in the tissues; this swelling may last for a long time.
After surgery, parts of the neck and throat may feel numb because nerves have been cut. If lymph nodes in the neck were removed, the shoulder and neck may be weak and stiff.
Reconstructive Surgery
The Maxillofacial Dental Oncology Clinic also plays an important role for patients whose conditions are disfiguring, as well as debilitating. When surgery is part of the cancer treatment plan, portions of the oral cavity and the head and neck region are removed to cure and/or control a tumor. Plastic surgery and/or a dental prosthesis can be used in reconstruction.
Our dental oncologist is part of the Brown Cancer Center’s Head and Neck Working Group and is consulted before surgical treatment that will result in permanent removal of facial features, or parts of the mouth or esophagus.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, which is also called radiotherapy, uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Before you undergo radiation, a radiation oncologist and physicist plan the precise delivery of the radiation to minimize radiation to your vital organs and maximize the radiation to the affected area.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. Chemotherapy may be recommended to kill any remaining cancer cells following surgery, or to control cancer growth and relieve symptoms. Most chemotherapy drugs are given intravenously or by catheter.
Clinical trials research(back to top)
In addition to using the most advanced methods of diagnosis and treatment, the Brown Cancer Center is constantly examining new approaches to cancer treatment. Brown Cancer Center physicians participate in and initiate a wide range of ongoing clinical trials and research, giving you access to new therapies that may not yet be available in other parts of the world.
If you have general questions about your condition, the Brown Cancer Center, or free services available to you and your loved ones, please contact the Mint Jubilee Resource Center at 502.562.4158 or 866.530.5516.
What are head and neck cancers? (back to top)
Most head and neck cancers begin in the squamous cells that line the structures found in the head and neck. Squamous cells are flat cells that cover inside and outside surfaces of the body.
Cancers of the head and neck are further identified by the area in which they begin:
Oral cavity - this includes the lips, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the gums, the lining inside the cheeks and lips, the floor of the mouth under the tongue, the bony top of the mouth (hard palate), and the small area behind the wisdom teeth.
Salivary glands - these are located in several places: under the tongue, in front of the ears and under the jawbone, as well as in other parts of the upper digestive tract.
Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity - the paranasal sinuses are small hollow spaces in the bones of the head surrounding the nose. The nasal cavity is the hollow space inside the nose.
Pharynx - this is a hollow tube about five inches long that starts behind the nose and leads to the esophagus and trachea. The pharynx has three parts:
Nasopharynx is the upper part of the pharynx behind the nose.
Oropharynx is the middle part of the pharynx that includes the soft palate (the back of the mouth), the base of the tongue, and the tonsils.
Hypopharynx is the lower part of the pharynx.
Larynx - also called the voice box, is a short passageway formed by cartilage just below the pharynx in the neck. The larynx contains the vocal cords. It also has a small piece of tissue, the epiglottis, which moves to cover the larynx to prevent food from entering the air passages.
Lymph nodes in the upper part of the neck - sometimes squamous cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes of the upper neck. They may be associated with one of the above sites. They may also be found when there is no evidence of cancer in other parts of the head and neck and this is called an unknown primary.
Head and neck cancer treatment options(back to top)
Your treatment plan will depend on the location of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, your age, and your general health. Whatever treatment plan your physician specifies, you will have the resources of the Brown Cancer Center’s state-of-the-art technology and most advanced methods of treatment. Treatment options may include one or a combination of the following:
Surgery
The first objective of surgery is to remove the tumor and some of the healthy tissue around it. This procedure reduces the chance that cancer cells will be left in the area.
The second objective of surgery is to evaluate the lymph nodes, if your physician team suspects the cancer has spread. Surgery may be followed by radiation treatment or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.
Head and neck surgery often changes your ability to chew, swallow or talk. You may look different after surgery, and your face and neck may be swollen. The swelling usually goes away within a few weeks.
However, lymph node dissection can slow the flow of lymph, which may collect in the tissues; this swelling may last for a long time.
After surgery, parts of the neck and throat may feel numb because nerves have been cut. If lymph nodes in the neck were removed, the shoulder and neck may be weak and stiff.
Reconstructive Surgery
The Maxillofacial Dental Oncology Clinic also plays an important role for patients whose conditions are disfiguring, as well as debilitating. When surgery is part of the cancer treatment plan, portions of the oral cavity and the head and neck region are removed to cure and/or control a tumor. Plastic surgery and/or a dental prosthesis can be used in reconstruction.
Our dental oncologist is part of the Brown Cancer Center’s Head and Neck Working Group and is consulted before surgical treatment that will result in permanent removal of facial features, or parts of the mouth or esophagus.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, which is also called radiotherapy, uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Before you undergo radiation, a radiation oncologist and physicist plan the precise delivery of the radiation to minimize radiation to your vital organs and maximize the radiation to the affected area.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. Chemotherapy may be recommended to kill any remaining cancer cells following surgery, or to control cancer growth and relieve symptoms. Most chemotherapy drugs are given intravenously or by catheter.
Clinical trials research(back to top)
In addition to using the most advanced methods of diagnosis and treatment, the Brown Cancer Center is constantly examining new approaches to cancer treatment. Brown Cancer Center physicians participate in and initiate a wide range of ongoing clinical trials and research, giving you access to new therapies that may not yet be available in other parts of the world.
If you have general questions about your condition, the Brown Cancer Center, or free services available to you and your loved ones, please contact the Mint Jubilee Resource Center at 502.562.4158 or 866.530.5516.