Head & neck cancers include malignancies arising from the larynx, throat, lips, mouth, nose, and salivary glands and are one of the commonest cancers in India. The common cause of head and neck cancers are the 5 S :
Smoke – Cigarettes, beedis
Spirits – Alcohol consumption
Spices – Chewing tobacco or smokeless tobacco like paan, Gutka and khat
Sharp tooth - irritation
Infections – HPV and EBV infections
The symptoms of head & neck cancers are usually dependent on the location. The commonest symptoms are non-healing ulcers in the mouth or cheek, lumps in the neck, a persistent sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice.
If you notice any of the above symptoms then immediately consult the best head and neck oncology surgeons in India or visit a head & neck cancer hospital in India.
The patient is examined by an oncologist. After this, a biopsy is taken and is sent for testing under a microscope. This examination is called a histopathological study. After confirmation of cancer, we need to know the extent of spread of cancer, called staging. Staging is usually done using CT scan, MRI scans and PET CT scans. After this, the appropriate treatment is started.
Treatment
Our multidisciplinary care team of head and neck oncologist in Bangalore works with patients to help them make informed decisions about their treatment options, while also offering therapies to control potential side effects.
The therapy depends on several factors, including the location, the stage, age and general condition of the patient. Treatment for head and neck cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. The combination of two or more modalities of treatment is usually done. Multimodality treatment is decided after a Multi-Disciplinary Team or a Tumor Board Discussion.
Surgery
Surgery is an essential curative approach to treatment. The surgeon removes the tumor with a good margin. Depending upon the tumor location & how advanced it is, the surgeon may remove lymph nodes in the neck. In certain advanced disease conditions, chemotherapy is given first and then assessed for surgery. Sometimes after surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are given.
Radiation Therapy and Brachytherapy
Radiation therapy plays an important role in the management of head and neck cancers. It is usually given after surgery in certain advanced cancers. Radiation is also combined with chemotherapy. Some head and neck cancers like larynx and nasopharyngeal cancers require only radiation with or without chemotherapy. Inoperable cancers will require chemotherapy with radiation for curative treatment. Radiation therapy can also be combined with targetted and immunotherapy. With the advancement of techniques for head & neck cancer, radiation often allows organ-sparing treatment that can give patients equal cure rates with better swallowing and/or voice function with similar cure rates as compared to surgically removing a tumor.
For certain tumor locations like tongue, cheek and lips, Brachytherapy or internal radiation can be used.
Chemotherapy/Targetted Therapy/Immunotherapy
Chemotherapy is frequently combined with surgery and radiation to improve local control. Single-agent chemotherapy is usually delivered during radiation therapy. In some cases, chemotherapy may be helpful before radiation treatment or surgery. This type of therapy is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy and usually is a combination of 2 or 3 drugs.
Targeted therapy can be given as a single agent or with chemotherapy. It can be used along with radiation therapy as well.
In metastatic head and neck cancers, immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy and Radiation therapy.
Cancer Therapy India has the best head and neck oncologist in Bangalore who have comprehensive knowledge and training in the diagnosis and treating the number of head and neck cancer issues.
