The Georgia Cancer Center's head and neck team is a cohesive, multidisciplinary team
of experts who are highly skilled in the latest treatment options for head and neck
cancers, including endocrine surgery.
The Georgia Cancer Center's head and neck team is a cohesive, multidisciplinary team
of experts who are highly skilled in the latest treatment options for head and neck
cancers, including endocrine surgery.
About
Find it early and be cured
In the United States, up to 200,000 people die each year from smoking-related illnesses.
The good news is that this figure has decreased due to the increasing number of Americans
who have quit smoking. The bad news is that some of these smokers switched to smokeless
or spit tobacco, assuming it is a safe alternative. This is untrue - they are merely
changing the site of the cancer risk from their lungs to their mouth.
While lung cancer cases are down, cancers in the head and neck appear to be increasing.
But these cancers are curable if caught early, and fortunately, most produce early
symptoms. You should know the possible warning signs so you can alert your doctor to your symptoms as soon as possible. Knowing and recognizing
the signs of head and neck cancer can save your life.
Symptoms
Symptoms and signs can occur even when no cancer is present. Many times complaints
will be due to some other condition. But you won't know without an examination, so
if they do occur, see your doctor to be sure.
- A lump in the neck: Cancers that begin in the head or neck usually spread to lymph nodes in the neck
before they spread elsewhere. A lump in the neck that lasts more than two weeks should
see a physician as soon as possible. Of course, not all lumps are cancer. But a lump
(or lumps) in the neck can be the first sign of cancer of the mouth, throat, voicebox
(larynx), thyroid gland, or of certain lymphomas or blood cancers. Such lumps are
generally painless and continue to enlarge steadily.
- Change in the voice: Most cancers in the larynx cause some change in voice. Any hoarseness or other voice
change lasting more than two weeks should alert you to see your physician. An otolaryngologist
is a head and neck specialist who can examine your vocal cords easily and painlessly.
Most voice changes are not caused by cancer, you shouldn't take chances. If you are
hoarse for over two weeks, ensure you don't have larynx cancer; See your doctor.
- A growth in the mouth: Most cancers of the mouth or tongue cause a sore or swelling that doesn't go away.
These sores and swellings may be painless unless they become infected. Bleeding may
occur, but often not until late in the disease. If an ulcer or swelling is accompanied
by lumps in the neck, be very concerned. Your dentist or doctor can determine if a
biopsy (tissue sample test) is needed and can refer you to a head and neck surgeon
to perform this procedure.
- Bringing up blood: This is often caused by something other than cancer. However, tumors in the nose,
mouth, throat, or lungs can cause bleeding. If blood appears in your saliva or phlegm
for more than a few days, you should see your physician.
- Swallowing problems: Cancer of the throat or esophagus (swallowing tube) may make swallowing solid foods
difficult. Sometimes liquids can be troublesome, and food may "stick" at a certain
point before passing through to the stomach or coming back up. If you have trouble
almost every time you try to swallow something, you should be examined by a physician.
Usually, a barium swallow x-ray or an esophagoscopy (direct examination of the swallowing
tube with a telescope) will be performed to find the cause.
- Changes in the skin: The most common head and neck cancer is basal cell cancer of the skin. Fortunately,
this is rarely a major problem if treated early. Basal cell cancers appear most often
on sun-exposed areas like the forehead, face, and ears, although they can occur almost
anywhere on the skin. Basal cell cancer often begins as a small, pale patch that enlarges
slowly, producing a central "dimple" and eventually an ulcer. Parts of the ulcer may
heal, but the major portion remains ulcerated. Some basal cell cancers show color
changes. Other kinds of cancer, including squamous cell cancer and malignant melanoma,
also occur on the skin of the head and neck. Most squamous cell cancers occur on the
lower lip and ear. They may look like basal cell cancers and, if caught early and
properly treated, usually are not much more dangerous. If there is a sore on the lip,
lower face, or ear that does not heal, consult a physician. Malignant melanoma classically
produces dense blue-black or black discolorations of the skin. However, any mole that
changes size, color or begins to bleed may be trouble. A black or blue-black spot
on the face or neck, particularly if it changes size or shape, should be seen as soon
as possible by a dermatologist or other physician.
- Persistent Earache: Constant pain in or around the ear when you swallow can be a sign of infection or
tumor growth in the throat. This is particularly serious if it is associated with
difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness, or a lump in the neck. These symptoms are best
evaluated by an otolaryngologist.