Head and Neck Cancer
What are cancers of the head and neck?
Head and neck cancers usually begin in the squamous cells that line the mucosal surfaces of the head and neck (for example, those inside the mouth, throat, and voice box). These cancers are referred to as squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Head and neck cancers can also begin in the salivary glands, sinuses, or muscles or nerves in the head and neck, but these types of cancer are much less common than squamous cell carcinomas.
Cancers of the head and neck can form in the:
- Oral cavity
- Throat (pharynx)
- Voice box (larynx)
- Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity
- Salivary glands
What are head and neck symptoms?
Head and neck cancer symptoms may include a lump in the neck or a sore in the mouth or the throat that does not heal and may be painful, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty in swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice. These symptoms may also be caused by other, less serious conditions. It is important to check with a doctor or dentist about any of these symptoms.
Treatment
Head and neck cancer treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of treatments. The treatment plan for an individual patient depends on a number of factors, including the location of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, and the person’s age and general health.
We provide thorough, specialized treatment for patients with both benign and malignant oral, head, and neck cancers. Our surgeons perform the removal of tumors in the head and neck region, such as those in the mouth, face, jaw, tongue, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), thyroid gland, and salivary glands.
Our team of surgeons offers a wide range of expertise in head and neck cancer care and reconstructive surgery. This includes head and neck surgeons, microvascular surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, maxillofacial prosthodontists, general dentists, as well as medical and radiation oncologists.
What happens after diagnosis?
Patients who show signs of a tumor, confirmed by biopsy or x-ray, will undergo an initial consultation with a head and neck cancer surgeon. This includes a comprehensive evaluation and may involve further diagnostic tests like fine needle aspiration, open biopsies, CT scans, and MRI studies. At this stage, the patient receives information about their diagnosis to collaboratively make an informed decision for the best treatment plan.
After gathering all necessary information, treatment commences, which could involve surgery, radiation therapy, or a mix of both, and occasionally chemotherapy.
Related Services
Comprehensive Reconstruction of the Jaw
(insert hyperlink) Comprehensive Reconstruction of the Jaw (CRJ) is a same-day complete rehabilitation of jaw defects, a procedure that ensures patients undergo anesthesia only once, rather than three times. This groundbreaking, same-day surgery is offered at Good Samaritan Medical Center.
- Evaluation: A comprehensive examination, including imaging like CT scans and intraoral scans that assess the jawbone defect, bite relationships and fibula blood supply to determine if patient is a candidate for CRJ.
- Fibula harvesting: Performed by a reconstructive surgeon. The fibula is carefully harvested from the lower leg. The length of the fibula segment is determined based on the extent of the jawbone defect.
- Dental implant surgery: Freeing the fibula bone, using a custom cutting guide to make precise cuts in accordance with a virtual surgical plan. Dental implants are then placed directly into the fibula bone by the surgical guide, tailored to the patient’s needs and planned dental prosthesis.
- Jawbone preparation: The damaged or missing portion of the jawbone is removed, creating a space to receive the fibula bone graft. The remaining healthy bone and soft tissues are prepared to ensure a proper fit and alignment.
- Fibula graft placement: Transferring the fibula segment to the jawbone defect involves securing the bone with screws or fixation devices.The fibula’s blood vessels are then connected to recipient vessels in the head and neck to restore blood supply to the transplanted bone.
- Prosthetic restoration: Once implants are placed and assessed for stability, dental prosthetics like crowns, bridges, or dentures are attached to them.
