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Head & Neck Cancer
More than 55,000 Americans will develop cancer of the head and neck
(most which is preventable) this year,; nearly 13,000 of them will
die from it.
Tobacco is the most preventable cause of these deaths. 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 &
neck appear to be increasing.
Cancer of the head and neck is curable if caught early. Fortunately,
most head and neck cancers produce early symptoms.
You should know the possible warning signs so you can alert your
doctor to your symptoms as soon as possible.
Remember -- successful treatment of head and neck cancer can depend
on early detection. Knowing and recognizing the signs of head and
neck cancer can save your life.
Find it early - and be cured!
Here's what you should watch for...
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 be seen by 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 cards easily and
painlessly. While most Voice changes are not caused by cancer, you
shouldn't take chances. If you are hoarse more than two weeks, make
sure you don't have cancer of the larynx. 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 also be
troublesome. The food may "stick" at a certain point and then either
go through to the stomach or come 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 block 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.
Identifying High Risk of Head and Neck Cancer
As many as 90 percent of head and neck cancers arise after prolonged
exposure to specific factors. Use of tobacco (cigarettes, cigars,
chewing tobacco or snuff) and alcoholic beverages are closely linked
with cancers of the mouth, throat voice box and tongue.* (In adults
who neither smoke nor drink, cancer of the mouth and throat are
nearly nonexistent.) Prolonged exposure to sunlight is linked with
cancer of the lip and is also an established major cause of skin
cancer.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO...
All of the symptoms and signs described here can occur with no
cancer present. In fact, many times complaints of this type will be
due to some other condition. But you can't tell without an
examination. So, if they do occur, see your doctor - and be sure.
REMEMBER: When found early, most cancers in the head and neck can be
cured with relatively little difficulty. Cure rates for these
cancers could be greatly improved if people would seek medical
advice as soon as possible. So play it safe. If you think you have
one of the warning signs of head and neck cancer, see your doctor
right away.
BE. SURE TO BE SAFE -See your doctor early! And practice health
habits which will make these diseases unlikely to occur.
*Ask for our leaflets "SMOKING. The How's & Whys of Quitting" and
"Smokeless Tobacco-Just As Dangerous".