Head & Neck Cancer
Finding a swelling or lump in your neck or a swelling or growth in your throat can be very frightening. You need to get it checked right away. Early detection and treatment can save your life.
Factoid
Did you know if cancer of the mouth or throat is detected early enough it can be treated with surgery, laser therapy and or radiation with a cure rate of 90-95%.
Signs and Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer:
- Swelling or lump in the neck
- Change in voice or hoarseness lasting greater than two weeks
- Persistent sore or growth in the mouth
- Throat pain or pain when swallowing lasting greater than 10 days
- Difficulty swallowing
- Persistent earache
- Blood coming up from the throat
- Unexplained weight loss
If you have any of these symptoms, please contact us.
Risk factors for head and neck cancer
- Use of tobacco products including cigarettes, dipping and chewing tobacco, cigars, heavy and or prolonged use of alcoholic beverages.
- Exposure to human papilloma virus (HPV) – same virus that causes most cervical cancers. Research indicates that infection with this virus is becoming an increasingly common risk factor for some types of head and neck cancer.
- Poor nutrition and vitamin deficiencies.
Diagnosis
- Early diagnosis is important for survival of head and neck cancer
- Thorough exam
- X-rays
- Biopsy
Treatments
When cancer is diagnosed early, it will often require less aggressive treatment.
- Laser therapy
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy