In this issue of HealthNews, medical oncologist Dr Lim Hong Liang tells us about the main types of head and neck cancers, the signs and symptoms to look out for, as well as the treatment available for patients at different disease stages.
Head and neck cancers are a group of cancers that begin in the mouth, throat, nose, larynx, and salivary glands. Of this
group of cancers, nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is the most common head and neck cancer in Singapore, and one of the top causes of cancer death in Singaporean men.
There are five main types of head and neck cancers: oral cavity cancer, pharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer, and salivary gland cancer. Each of these types come with its own unique characteristics,
and the signs and symptoms to look out for.
What it is: Oral cavity cancer is cancer affecting the lips and the inside of the mouth, including the gums, inside of the cheeks, tongue and hard palate.
What symptoms to look out for:
What it is: Pharyngeal cancer is cancer affecting the back of the nasal cavity (nasopharynx) and back of the oral cavity, including the tonsils, back of the tongue, soft palate (oropharynx) down to the beginning of the trachea and
esophagus (hypopharynx).
What symptoms to look out for:
What it is: Laryngeal cancer is cancer affecting the voice box.
What symptoms to look out for (symptoms of laryngeal cancer may be similar to oro- and hypopharyngeal cancers):
What it is: Nasal cavity cancer is cancer affecting the nasal cavity (space inside the nose), while paranasal sinus cancer is cancer affecting the bones around the nose).
What symptoms to look out for:
What it is: Salivary gland cancer is cancer affecting the glands that produce saliva. Three major ones are the submandibular gland (below the jaw), parotid gland (sides of the face in front of the ears) and sublingual gland (below the
tongue).
What symptoms to look out for:
The biggest cause of head and neck cancers is tobacco. This includes smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes and chewing tobacco. Besides tobacco, alcohol consumption, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and Epstein-Barr virus infection (for NPC) may also increase the risk of head and neck cancers.
Other risk factors include:
Head and neck cancers can be managed with different kinds of treatment, or combination of treatment, depending on the patient’s condition and their individual disease profile. This includes the location of the cancer, stage of the cancer, the age and general health of the patient, and any presence of HPV.
In early stage disease, surgery is usually performed to remove the tumour, surrounding tissue and lymph nodes. Depending on the tumour size and lymph node involvement, patients may require chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment in addition to surgery.
In some early stage head and neck cancers such as NPC, radiation is performed instead of surgery.
In advanced disease where the cancer has spread to the rest of the body, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted agents, or a combination of these therapies, are used for cancer control.
A multidisciplinary approach to treatment, guided by a team of medical and allied health specialists from different disciplines, can offer patients optimal care in the management of head and neck cancers. Fortunately, many head and neck cancers can be cured, especially if it is diagnosed early. Advances in treatment are also offering improved treatment outcomes for patients with the disease.
PUBLISHED 01 JULY 2022 |