Head And Neck Cancers Specialist

What are head and neck cancers?

Head and neck cancers are chronic diseases that can affect different parts of your scalp, face, ears, and neck. These changes can be dangerous or life-threatening when left untreated. 

Head and neck cancers can occur in your:

• Lips
• Tongue
• Mouth
• Gums
• Cheeks
• Lips
• Pharynx
• Larynx (voice box)
• Sinuses
• Nasal cavity
• Salivary glands

Early detection and treatment give you the best chance of making a full recovery.

What are the symptoms of head and neck cancers?

If you have head or neck cancer, you may notice the following signs or symptoms:

• Swelling
• White or red sores
• Unusual bleeding 
• Pain
• Lumps or thickening tissues
• Problems speaking, swallowing, or chewing
• Breathing difficulties
• Ringing or pain in the ears
• Blocked sinuses
• Headaches

At the first sign of new or unusual symptoms, see the Houston Cancer Institute, PA, team for an evaluation. 

How does my doctor diagnose head and neck cancers?

To find out if you have head or neck cancer, your specialist discusses your symptoms and reviews your medical history. They examine your head and neck during a physical examination and complete diagnostic tests to detect or rule out cancer.

For example, your specialist may recommend you undergo biopsies, X-rays, other imaging procedures, or laboratory tests.

What are the risk factors for head and neck cancers?

Head and neck cancers can happen to anyone, but some factors boost your risk of experiencing them. Examples include:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco products
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Sun exposure
• Tanning beds
• Chemical exposure
• Epstein-Barr virus
• Radiation treatments

Men are about twice as likely as women to develop head and neck cancers, and the risk increases after age 50. 

To reduce your chance of developing these cancers, avoid tobacco products, limit or avoid alcohol, don’t use tanning beds, and protect your skin from the sun.

What are common head and neck cancer treatments?

Your cancer treatment depends on the type and severity of head or neck cancer you have. Your specialist might recommend:

Surgery

Surgery allows your doctor to remove cancerous tissue to prevent head and neck cancers from spreading to other parts of your body. The Houston Cancer Institute, PA, team works with reconstructive plastic surgeons when necessary after head or neck cancer surgery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medications to kill cancer cells. Your doctor often administers chemotherapy drugs intravenously through a vein.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses targeted energy beams, often X-rays or protons, to destroy cancer cells.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a special type of treatment that uses drugs to boost your immune system’s ability to fight cancer.

Staging your cancer 

To determine the best treatment for your  cancer, the team at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA, stages your cancer using state-of-the-art Cat Scan or PET/CT imaging.

The scans show how large the tumor is, how deeply it extends , and whether it's spread to other areas. This will help our team at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA  identify what stage of cancer you  have and tailor your treatment plan to that stage for optimal outcomes and recovery. 

Don’t let head and neck cancers go undiagnosed or untreated. Call the Houston Cancer Institute, PA, office nearest you or book an appointment online today.