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Head and neck Cancer Treatment

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Here is our comprehensive resource for head and neck cancer treatment and throat cancer. At Sunrise Oncology Centre, we understand the complexities and challenges associated with head, neck and throat cancers. Our dedicated team of specialists is committed to providing cutting-edge care and personalized treatment plans tailored to each individual's unique needs. As leaders in head and neck cancer treatment and with the best throat cancer treatment centers, we offer a multidisciplinary approach that integrates the latest advancements in medical technology with compassionate support services. With state-of-the-art facilities and advanced therapies, our throat cancer treatment centers are equipped to address the diverse needs of patients. Whether you're seeking information, diagnosis, or treatment options, you can trust our expertise and commitment to guiding you through every step of your journey toward healing and recovery.

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Types of Head and Neck Cancer

Squamous cells, which make up the inner lining of the larynx and hypopharynx are thin, flat cells, these are the origin of almost all malignancies. The earliest type of cancer is called a carcinoma in situ (CIS). In CIS, the cancerous cells are exclusively visible in the laryngeal or hypopharyngeal epithelial cells. They haven't gotten bigger or spread to other body areas or deeper levels. Most of these early cancers are curable, but CIS, if left untreated, can progress to an aggressive squamous cell carcinoma that can spread to other regions of the body and kill adjacent tissues.

Any form of mucosal cell has the potential to develop into cancer, and each type of cancer behaves and develops in a unique way.
  • Squamous cell carcinomas (squamous cell cancer) can develop from squamous epithelium cells. Many cancers in the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity are of this type.
  • Adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinomas, and mucoepidermoid malignancies can develop from benign salivary gland cells. These are the second-most frequent malignancies of the paranasal sinuses and the nose.
  • Undifferentiated carcinoma, or undifferentiated cancer, of the paranasal sinuses or nasal cavity is a highly quick-growing cancer, and the cells have an abnormal appearance that it is difficult to determine what kind of cell the cancer originated in.
  • Melanocytes are the cells that give the skin its tan or brown color. One form of cancer that begins in these cells is melanoma. It spreads and grows swiftly. These tumors are typically detected on skin that has been exposed to the sun, but they can also develop on the lining of the nose, the sinuses, or other internal organs.
  • The olfactory nerve—the nerve that controls smell—is where esthesioneuroblastoma develops. Also known as olfactory neuroblastoma, this malignancy. It typically begins in the cribriform plate, a structure that is located on the roof of the nasal cavity. Deep inside the skull, above the ethmoid sinuses and between the eyes is a bone known as the cribriform plate.
  • The third most frequent type of cancer in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is lymphoma, which begins in immune system cells called lymphocytes. T-cell/NK cell nasal-type lymphoma, one of the lymphomas found here, was once known as a midline fatal granuloma.
  • Sarcomas, which can begin anywhere in the body, including the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, are malignancies of the muscle, bone, cartilage, and fibrous tissues.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most prevalent type of cancer in the nasopharynx. There are various NPC types, and all originate from the nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, but when closely examined in the lab, the cells of each variety appear different:

The most prevalent kind is keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma.

In regions with high rates of NPC, non-keratinizing differentiated carcinoma is less frequent and is linked to the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).

In regions with high incidence of NPC, non-keratinizing undifferentiated carcinoma is the most prevalent form and is frequently linked to EBV.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the primary cause of the majority of oropharyngeal squamous cell cancers, also known as HPV-positive tumors. Rarely is HPV linked to cancer of the oral cavity. Young persons without a history of tobacco or alcohol use are more likely to develop malignancies that are HPV-positive. Compared to squamous cell tumors (HPV-negative cancer), these tumors typically have a better prognosis (outcome). This is because chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the widely chosen methods of throat cancer treatment; they also make HPV-positive tumors smaller.

Minor cancers of the salivary glands

Tumors like these can begin in the glands that line the mouth and throat. Minor salivary gland tumors can take many different forms, such as adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma.

Lymphomas

Lymphoid tissue, which is where immune system tumors known as lymphomas can begin, is found in the tonsils and the base of the tongue.

Leukoplakia and erythroplakia

Certain tissue changes that are visible in the mouth or throat are referred to as leukoplakia and erythroplakia. When scraped, leukoplakia is a white or gray patch that does not come off.

A crimson, flat or slightly elevated spot called an erythroplakia typically bleeds easily if scratched. A patch called erythroleukoplakia has both white and red components.

Leukoplakia and erythroplakia are most frequently set on by smoking and chewing tobacco. These can also be brought on by poorly fitting dentures that press against the tongue or the inside of the cheeks.

Salivary gland malignancies come in a number of forms. Different cell types make up the normal salivary glands, and cancer can begin in any of these cell types. Cancers of the salivary glands are given names based on the cell types that they most resemble.
Salivary gland cancers are frequently classified (from 1 to 3, or from low to high) based on how normal the cells appear. The grade of the cancer provides an estimate of how quickly it is expected to grow and spread. Additionally, persons who have low-grade tumors typically experience better results than those who have high-grade tumors.
Grade 1 (also known as low grade or well differentiated) denotes that the cancer cells closely resemble healthy cells of the salivary gland. They typically develop slowly and have a favorable prognosis.
The cancer cells in grade 2 (also known as intermediate grade or moderately differentiated) resemble those of grade 1 and grade 3 malignancies. Additionally, the consequences range from grade 1 to a grade 3 cancer.
The cancer cells of grade 3 (also known as high grade or poorly differentiated) frequently develop and spread quickly and have a drastically different appearance from normal cells. The prognosis for these malignancies is typically not as excellent as for tumors of lower grade.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma

The most typical kind of salivary gland cancer is mucoepidermoid carcinoma. In the parotid glands, most begin. They less frequently appear in the minor salivary glands inside the mouth or the submandibular glands. Although they occasionally have intermediate or high grades, these malignancies are mostly low grade.

Cystic adenoid carcinoma

The second most prevalent salivary gland cancer is adenoid cystic carcinoma, which is typically slow-growing and seems to be low grade when examined in a laboratory setting. Even yet, because it prefers to travel via nerves, it can be exceedingly difficult to totally eradicate. After therapy (often surgery and radiation), these cancers frequently recur, sometimes years later. If the tumor is smaller, the prognosis is better.

Causes and Risk Factors of Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers

  • Age - takes many years to develop, so they're not common in young people.
  • Gender - being male.
  • Ethnicity
  • Tobacco and alcohol use
  • Human papillomavirus infection
  • Excess body weight
  • Poor nutrition
  • Workplace exposures to wood dust, paint fumes, and certain chemicals used in the metalworking, petroleum, construction, and textile industries

Causes and Risk Factors of Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer

  • A sore on the lip or in the mouth that doesn't heal
  • Pain in the mouth that doesn’t go away
  • A lump or thickening in the lips, mouth, or cheek
  • A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth
  • A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in your throat that doesn’t go away
  • Trouble chewing or swallowing
  • Trouble moving the jaw or tongue
  • Numbness of the tongue, lip, or other area of the mouth
  • Swelling or pain in the jaw
  • Dentures that start to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
  • Loosening of the teeth or pain around the teeth
  • Voice changes
  • A lump or mass in the neck or back of the throat
  • Weight loss
  • Pain in the ear

Causes and Risk Factors of Nasopharyngeal Cancer

  • Age - The risk goes up as a person gets older.
  • Gender - being male.
  • Diet - foods high in salt-cured fish and meat
  • Epstein-Barr virus infection
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
  • Family history
  • Tobacco and alcohol use

Causes and Risk Factors of Nasal and Paranasal Sinus Cancers

  • Age - The risk goes up as a person gets older.
  • Gender - being male.
  • Smoking
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
  • Workplace exposures to
    • Wood dust from carpentry (such as furniture and cabinet builders), sawmills, and other wood-related industries
    • Dusts from textiles (textile plants)
    • Leather dusts (shoemaking)
    • Flour (baking and flour milling)
    • Nickel and chromium dust
    • Mustard gas (a poison used in chemical warfare)
    • Radium (a radioactive element rarely used today)

Symptoms and Signs of Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers

  • Hoarseness or voice changes
  • A sore throat that does not go away
  • Pain when swallowing
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Ear pain
  • Trouble breathing
  • Weight loss
  • A lump or mass in the neck (because the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes)

Symptoms and Signs of Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer

  • Age - takes many years to develop, so they're not common in young people
  • Gender - being male.
  • Tobacco and alcohol use
  • Betel quid and gutka
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
  • Excess body weight
  • Ultraviolet (UV) light
  • Poor nutrition
  • Genetic syndromes like Fanconi anemia and dyskeratosis congenita

Symptoms and Signs of Nasopharyngeal Cancer

  • Hearing loss, ringing in the ear, pain, or feeling of fullness in the ear (especially on one side only)
  • Ear infections that keep coming back
  • Nasal blockage or stuffiness
  • Nosebleeds
  • Headaches
  • Facial pain or numbness
  • Trouble opening your mouth
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Trouble breathing or talking

Symptoms and Signs of Nasal and Paranasal Sinus Cancers

  • Nasal congestion and stuffiness that doesn’t get better or even worsens
  • Pain above or below the eyes
  • Blockage of one side of the nose
  • Post-nasal drip (nasal drainage in the back of the nose and throat)
  • Nosebleeds
  • Pus draining from the nose
  • Problems with your sense of smell
  • Numbness or pain in parts of the face
  • Loosening or numbness of teeth
  • A lump or mass on the face, palate (top of the mouth), or inside the nose
  • Constant watery eyes
  • Bulging of one eye
  • Loss or change in vision
  • Pain or pressure in one of the ears
  • Hearing loss
  • Headache
  • Trouble opening the mouth
  • Enlarging lymph nodes in the neck (seen or felt as lumps under the skin)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Head and neck cancer treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these. Head and neck cancer treatment is also dependent on the health of the individual, type, and stage of cancer.

Early detection is crucial for successful treatment. Side effects can vary depending on the treatment but may include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, and changes in taste or smell.

Early detection is crucial for successful treatment. Working with a nutritionist can help ensure you receive the necessary nutrients, especially if treatments affect your ability to eat or swallow.

Immunotherapy can enhance the immune system’s ability to fight cancer and is typically used for advanced stages or recurrent cancer.

Ongoing clinical trials are constantly exploring new treatments. Discuss with your doctor the possibility of participating in a clinical trial should one be available and accessible.

Follow-up schedules vary, but they typically involve regular visits every few months initially, with frequency decreasing over time if there are no signs of recurrence.

Early detection is crucial for successful treatment. Symptoms to watch out for are sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and unexplained weight loss. Regular check-ups and prompt medical attention will make a substantial difference in outcomes.

While most cases are linked to lifestyle factors, a small percentage may have a genetic component. Understanding your family history and discussing it with your healthcare provider can help assess your risk and determine appropriate course of action.

Diagnosis involves a comprehensive examination, including imaging tests, biopsies, and endoscopies. This multi-step process allows for accurateidentification ofthe type and stage of the cancer, informing the treatment plan.

No, it is not preventable, certain lifestyle choices can significantly reduce the risk of developing Head and Neck Cancer. Adopting a tobacco-free lifestyle, limiting alcohol consumption, and practicing safe sex to prevent HPV infections are essential preventive measures.

While there are several throat cancer treatment centers, Sunrise Oncology Center has its facilities conveniently spread across various locations in Mumbai. We offer treatment for all types of cancers and we also have specialized throat cancer treatment centers.

Throat cancer is relatively common in India, mainly due to high rates of tobacco use, both smoking and chewing.

Chewing tobacco, a prevalent cultural habit, significantly contributes to the high incidence of throat cancer in Indian.

HPV, especially HPV16, is a significant risk factor for oropharyngeal cancers. It is primarily transmitted through sexual contact and can lead to the development of cancer in the oropharynx.

Side effects can include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, difficulty swallowing, changes in taste, and radiation-induced skin changes. These can vary depending on the type of treatment and depend on other individual factors.

Quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, practicing safe sex to reduce the risk of HPV infection, and protecting the skin from excessive sun exposure can help mostly lower the risk.

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