Head and neck cancer without early symptoms, smoking cessation and abstaining from drinking are also important
Jul 24, 2024
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Head and neck refers to the part of the head and neck except for the eyes and brain above the chest and lungs. The mouth, nose, neck, and tongue, which are organs necessary to eat, talk, and breathe essential to human survival, all belong to the head and neck. Head and neck cancer is a generic term for all types of malignant tumors that occur in the head and neck, and occurs in the nose, sinuses, mouth, face, larynx, pharynx, salivary glands, and thyroid gland. Head and neck cancer is divided into pharyngeal cancer, oral cancer, laryngeal cancer, and salivary gland cancer depending on the location of cancer. Thyroid cancer also belongs to head and neck cancer in a comprehensive sense.
The 5-year survival rate of head and neck cancer is high at an average of 60%. However, early detection is difficult because there are few symptoms in the early stages, and it is often found with advanced cancer.
Professor Nam In-cheol of the Department of Otolaryngology at the Catholic University of Korea's Incheon St. Mary's Hospital said, "If head and neck cancer is detected and treated early, it can be treated while maintaining the function of the head and neck as well as a high cure rate.".
The representative risk factors for head and neck cancer are smoking, drinking, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Smoking, which is considered the main cause, is known to increase the risk of developing head and neck cancer by about 15 times. Drinking is mainly involved in cancer that occurs in the lower larynx or occipital region. HPV is deeply associated with the development of oropharyngeal cancer. HPV is found in approximately 15–50% of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. In addition, gastroesophageal reflux, esophageal disease, and physical stimulation of the head and neck are also considered risk factors.
Symptoms vary depending on the site of occurrence. Oral cancer is characterized by pain and lumps that constantly worsen in one place within the oral cavity. Laryngeal cancer causes the initial voice to change or feel a foreign body, and over time complains of difficulty breathing. Hypopharyngeal cancer often starts with a feeling of foreign body in the neck and complains of difficulty swallowing. Nasopharyngeal cancer is a common symptom of a lump in the neck. In salivary gland cancer, a lump is touched around the ear or under the chin, and facial pain and facial paralysis appear. Cancer in the nasal cavity is accompanied by symptoms of nosebleeds or nasal congestion.
Diagnosis is performed through endoscopy and imaging tests such as CT (computerized tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Recently, PET-CT (positron emission tomography) can precisely confirm the extent of head and neck cancer and the presence of distant metastasis.
Treatment can be applied to both surgical and non-surgical treatment. Non-surgical treatment is typical of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Early head and neck cancer can be cured with single treatment such as surgery or radiation therapy, but if the cancer has progressed, it is difficult to cure with only one treatment. In many cases, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are performed at the same time to preserve the function of speaking or swallowing. In other words, treatment that properly combines surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy is needed.
Professor Nam In-cheol said, "It is important to maintain the function of eating, talking, and breathing as much as possible in order to completely remove cancer from head and neck cancer, as well as to lead a normal daily life. Customized treatment is mainly performed according to the patient's condition, such as the location or cause of the occurrence, the age or occupation of the patient."," he said.
To prevent head and neck cancer, smoking cessation and abstaining from drinking are essential. The higher the duration and amount of smoking, the higher the incidence of cancer. In addition, a healthy sex life is also needed to prevent infection with HPV. The use of the HPV vaccine, well known as the cervical cancer vaccine, can prevent head and neck cancer.
Professor Nam In-cheol advised "Head and neck cancer is not an easy cancer to treat because the treatment process is long from diagnosis to treatment, reconstruction, and rehabilitation, but it is better to have regular check-ups with interest as it is a cancer that can be fully cured if detected early."
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