Could you be at risk of head and neck cancer?

Of all cancers, %3.6 are head and neck cancers

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Head and neck cancers include cancers of the face and scalp, lips, inner cheeks, gums, palate, tongue, floor of the mouth, throat (pharynx), salivary glands, tonsils, sinuses and voice box (larynx) . Treatment of these cancers requires many different specialties to work in a highly coordinated and meticulous manner and also places an additional burden on individuals’ and families’ budgets and the national health system. Fortunately, preventing these cancers, detecting them early and treating them with modern medicine is often possible.

What causes head and neck cancers?

• Smoking and alcohol are the most common environmental carcinogens causing cancers of the mouth, throat and vocal cords. The risk of head and neck cancers is much higher in people who both smoke and consume alcohol.
• The main cause of skin cancers in the head and neck region is sun exposure.
• Another cause of oral cancers is certain herbs consumed by prolonged chewing in the mouth. Maraş tobacco, chewing tobacco and chewing betel leaf , a common habit in India and neighboring countries, are examples.
• An increasingly common cause of head and neck cancer in recent years is infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) , transmitted through oral sex.

What are the symptoms of head and neck cancer?

You should definitely be examined by your doctor in the following situations:

• If you have any skin ulcer or sores on the lips, in the mouth, on the tongue or in the throat that do not heal within a few weeks
• If you have throat pain, a change in voice/hoarseness or difficulty swallowing that does not improve within a few weeks.
• If you notice lumps in the neck or salivary glands.

How is head and neck cancer treated?

• These cancers require different disciplines to work together, including medical oncologists, ear, nose and throat specialists, plastic surgeons, interventional radiologists, oncology nurses, speech therapists, dietitians and social workers.
• Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or combinations of these are used for treatment.
• Treatment choice varies according to the cancer’s location, cancer cell type, stage and the patient’s age.
• For cancer patients, stopping smoking and alcohol may also slow or prevent cancer progression or make treatment more effective.

- How can I quit smoking?

Can head and neck cancer be treated?

Yes, most head and neck cancers can be completely treated if detected early. Even in regionally advanced head and neck cancers, successful outcomes can be achieved with good treatment planning and an experienced team. Because organs in this region have a very good blood supply, intra-arterial chemotherapy, which means giving chemotherapy directly through an artery, is a highly effective treatment option for regionally advanced (locally advanced) head and neck cancers. A treatment center’s previous experience treating many patients with this disease is an independent factor directly affecting patient survival.

How can head and neck cancer be prevented?

1. Most patients with cancers of the mouth, throat or vocal cords smoke and consume alcohol. Quitting smoking and alcohol reduces cancer risk.
2. Avoiding or protecting yourself from the sun also reduces the risk of skin cancer in this region.
3. With HPV vaccination for both your daughters and sons between ages 9-12, you can protect them from HPV-related head and neck cancer.

HPV Vaccination Guide Updated! Let’s take this opportunity to learn what the HPV vaccine is

In conclusion, smoking, alcohol and other recreationally chewed herbs are the main risk factors for head and neck cancers. To protect against skin cancers in this region, take precautions against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. It is also important to learn about the risks associated with oral sex. Do not hesitate to consult a physician for persistent sores, prolonged swelling and voice changes in the head and neck region.

- Head and neck cancer symptoms (detailed)