Head and Neck Cancer: Questions and Answers
This article is by the National Cancer Institute, National Health Institute and the Department of Health and Human Services about Cancer, facts concerning cancer particularly in the head and neck area. The article starts on what cancer is and how it develops. Cancer as explained, are excess cells that is produced by the body. Wherein a normal body, a cell that outlives it function eventually dies and replaced by a new cell. However, cell that do not, continue to divide and produce new cell which the body does not need. This cell forms a mass which known as a tumor. This tumor can either be benign or malignant. Malignant tumors are cancerous tumors, as the article states.
The article then delves into the different region where cancer may affect the areas of the head and the neck, this are the oral cavity, salivary gland, paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, pharynx and the larynx. With the use of an ENT microscope specific areas could be identified through symptom that cancer may exhibit.
The article then reveals that an alarming rate of eight five percent of head and neck cancer can be linked to tobacco or smoking. People who uses either smoke or drink or do both are more prone to head and neck cancer. The article then enumerates other possible exposure, contaminants that may bring about cancer. This are, over exposure to the sun, exposure to diagnostic instruments such as x-rays, occupational exposure to certain wood dust and asbestos , food ingredients, to name a few.
Symptoms are next to be enumerated in which a person with head and neck cancer may exhibit, presence of red or white patch on the gums, tongue, mouth in the oral cavity. On nasal cavity and sinuses they may experience bleeding of nose and frequent headaches. Cancer on salivary glands may feel numbness on the face. However, not all symptoms are diagnosed to be cancerous, it is best to seek medical advice so that the proper diagnosis with the proper instruments ENT microscope, x-rays, endoscope among others will confirm or prove false of you having cancer. Other diagnostic procedures are included in the article.
Once a person is diagnosed with cancer he may under go one or a combination of treatment. A team of medical specialist will come up with a treatment plan which may include area or region where the cancer is, stage of cancer and the persons general health. All of this will be included and discussed by specialist. Depending on where the cancer is, specialist may include, ear, nose or throat surgeon specializing in his field, pathologist, dentist, prosthodontist and plastic surgeons.
A variety of treatments are available for cancer, from the use of chemotherapy which is through the use of anti cancer drug, radiotheraphy the use of radiation and surgery. Usually a patient undergoes surgery (usually with the help of an ENT microscope) wherein the tumor is removed and then radiotheraphy or chemotherapy may follow. The treatment plan is dependent on many factors and will be outlined by the medical team.Continuing study is being done to find more and better cure for the treatment of cancer.Other topics covered by the article are need for rehabilitation and follow up by a person who had undergone treatment.
