Head and Neck Cancer Program
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Meet Our Specialists
Chenthilmurugan Rathnasabapathy, MD Head and Neck Oncology |
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Alessandro G. Cusano, MD, DDS, FACS Head and Neck Oncology |
Services We Provide
The services provided in the Head and Neck Cancer Program at the Dignity Health – Cancer Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center include diagnosis and treatment of malignant and high-risk diseases of the oral cavity, throat, salivary glands, thyroid and parathyroid, sinuses, ear and temporal bone and the eye. Head and neck cancers do not include brain or spinal cord cancers; these are separate and distinct cancers. Treatments for head and neck include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, either as single or combination modalities, as well as symptom management and survivor services.
Below are brief descriptions about the types of head and neck cancers treated at Dignity Health – Cancer Institute at St. Joseph’s. To schedule an appointment, please call 888.670.6341.
- Oral Cavity Cancer
- Throat Cancer (cancer of the pharynx or larynx)
- Larynx Cancer
- Salivary Gland Cancer
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Cancer
- Sinus Cancer
- Ear and Temporal Bone Cancer
Oral Cavity Cancer
Oral cavity cancer The oral cavity includes the lips, the inside lining of the lips and cheeks (buccal mucosa), the teeth, gums (gingiva), the front two-thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth below the tongue, and the bony roof of the mouth (hard palate). The small area behind the wisdom teeth (retromolar trigone) can be included as a part of the oral cavity, although it is often considered part of the
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) most oral cavity cancers begin as squamous cells (the thin, flat cells that line the lips and oral cavity) and eventually spread into deeper tissue as the cancer grows. Using tobacco products, heavy alcohol use, exposure to natural or artificial sunlight and being male increase the risk of oral cavity cancer. Signs of
For more information about signs, symptoms and treatment for oral cavity cancer, visit the National Cancer Institute for more information at http://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/patient/lip-mouth-treatment-pdq.
Throat Cancer
Throat Cancer The term “throat cancer” refers to either cancer of the pharynx (the part of the oral cavity beyond the mouth) or the larynx (voice box).
- Pharyngeal (Pharynx) Cancer
- Larynx Cancer
Pharyngeal (pharynx) cancer
The pharynx is divided into three parts:
- The
nasopharynx is located behind the nasal cavity and above the soft palate. - The
oropharynx is the part of the throat most easily seen without magnification or special instruments. It’s the part of the pharynx that connects to the esophagus (the tube that carries food to the stomach). It includes the base of the tongue (the back third of the tongue), the soft palate (the back part of the roof of the mouth), the tonsils, and the side and back wall of the throat. - The
hypopharynx is the lowest part of the throat located next to the larynx and makes swallowing easier.
The
Patients with HPV-associated cancer respond better to treatment compared to patients with tobacco-associated cancers of the head and neck.
These are the symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer:
a sore throat that does not go awaytrouble swallowingdifficulty opening the mouth fullydifficulty moving the tongueweight loss for no known reason.ear pain.a lump in the back of the mouth, throat, or neck.a change in voice.coughing up blood.
These are the symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer:
a lump in the nose or necksore throatdifficulty breathing or speakingnosebleeds trouble hearingpain or ringing in the earsheadaches
And these are the symptoms of hypopharyngeal cancer:
a sore throat that does not go awayear paina lump in the neckpainful or difficult swallowinga change in the sound of your voice.
If any of these last longer than two weeks, seek a physician’s advice.
Preventing
Many people have heard of the HPV vaccine and mistakenly believe it only protects against cervical cancer. If administered to both males and females between the ages of 9 and 26, the HPV vaccine will guard against cervical and anal cancers and will significantly reduce the risk of other genital cancers as well as
Larynx Cancer
This cancer affects the part of the throat that contains the vocal cords, which vibrate and make sound when air is directed against them. Smoking and consuming too much alcohol
More than 13,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with larynx cancer in 2015. For information about survival rates for this cancer, visit http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/laryn.html.
For more information about treatment for throat cancer, cancer
Salivary Gland Cancer
Salivary gland cancer is a rare disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the
Signs of salivary gland cancer include trouble swallowing or opening the mouth widely; a typically painless lump near the ear, cheek, jaw, lip or inside the mouth; numbness or weakness in the face; fluid draining from the ear; pain in the face that doesn’t go away.
For information about treatment for salivary gland cancer, visit cancer
Thyroid and Parathyroid Cancers
Thyroid
The thyroid is a gland at the base of the throat near the windpipe. Shaped like a butterfly, it has a right lobe and a left lobe and a thin strip of tissue connects the two lobes. The thyroid manufactures hormones that help control weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature.
Of the four types of thyroid cancer, what’s called “papillary” is the most common type. The other three are called “follicular,” “medullary,” and “
According to the American Cancer Society, symptoms of thyroid cancer can include a lump in the neck that sometimes grows quickly or a swelling in the neck; pain in the front of the neck, sometimes going up to the ears; hoarseness or other voice changes that don’t go away; difficulty swallowing; difficulty breathing.
Exposure to radiation of the head and neck as a child increases the risk of thyroid cancer. Having certain genetic conditions also can increase the risk of thyroid cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 62,000 cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S.
Parathyroid
There are four parathyroid glands, organs the size of a pea found in the neck near the thyroid gland. These glands produce parathyroid hormone to help the body keep calcium in the blood at normal levels.
Symptoms of parathyroid cancer, which is extremely rare, include feeling very tired; nausea and vomiting; weakness; loss of appetite; weight loss that’s not intended; excessive thirst; frequent urination; constipation; difficulty thinking clearly.
For information about parathyroid cancer treatment, visit cancer
Sinus Cancer
This is a very rare cancer, estimated to affect only about 2,000 Americans each year. For more information, visit this page created by the National Cancer Institute: cancer
Ear and Temporal Bone Cancer
The temporal bone is more commonly known as the ear canal. Because of sun exposure, cancer of the outer ear is not uncommon, but cancer of the ear canal is very rare. Ear canal cancer, when it does occur, usually is either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. This cancer, because of its location and proximity to adjacent areas like the parotid gland (saliva gland anterior to the ear canal), the neck (inferior to the ear canal), the middle ear (deep/medial to the ear canal) or the mastoid (posterior to the ear canal), can spread quickly. Treatment, therefore, is needed right away.
If you have lingering pain in the ear canal, occasional bleeding, a discharge, sudden hearing loss, dizziness or facial paralysis, consult a dermatologist or your primary care provider right away.
For more information about head and neck cancer, visit this page put together by the National Cancer Institute: cancer
Treatment you may receive
There are three ways to treat head and neck cancers: surgery, radiation, and medications (chemotherapy). Your oncologist at the Dignity Health – Cancer Institute at St. Joseph’s will help you understand which treatment is most appropriate for you.
Questions to ask your oncologist
- What is my diagnosis and prognosis?
- What is your experience in treating the cancer I have?
- How will you determine the best treatment for me?
- How long does each treatment option typically last, both individually and as a series of treatments?
- How will you know if the treatment is making progress?
For more information about various types of cancer, cancer staging and treatment options, click on this link from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN): NCCN Guidelines for Patients® - nccn.org/patients/default.aspx.
For more information about scheduling an appointment at The University of Arizona Cancer Center at St. Joseph’s, please call 888.670.6341.