Diagnosing Head & Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer refers to a group of diseases that most often begin in the mucus membranes of the nose, mouth, and throat. It makes up about three percent of all cancer cases in the U.S.

At Dignity Health, our highly trained oncologists offer care for a range of head and neck cancers in the Bay Area:

Ear and temporal bone cancer
Eye cancer
Esophageal cancer
Larynx (voice box) cancer
Oral cavity cancer
Sinus cancer
Salivary gland cancer
Throat cancer
Thyroid and parathyroid cancer
Tongue cancer

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Symptoms of Head & Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer symptoms begin early on, making it highly treatable. These include:

Difficulty or pain with speaking or swallowing
Ringing in your ears, trouble hearing, or ear pain
Frequent headaches or pain in your upper teeth
Nose bleeds or unusual bleeding in your mouth
Sore throat that doesn’t go away
White or red patches on your gums
Numbness or difficulty using your face muscles
Change in your voice or hoarseness that persists
Lump or sore that doesn’t heal
Swelling of your jaw, eyes, or under your chin
Blocked sinuses
Frequent sinus infections that don’t respond to treatment

These symptoms are also common with other conditions. Talk with your doctor for a diagnosis.

Causes of Head & Neck Cancer

Researchers know that certain factors increase the risk of developing head and neck cancer.

Risk factors include:

Tobacco use in any form — plays a role in 85 percent of cases
African American race
Frequent and heavy use of alcohol
Male gender
Age older than 40
Weakened immune system
Poor oral hygiene
Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)
Poor nutrition
Prolonged sun exposure
Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
Marijuana use

You can take an active role in prevention by lowering your risk factors — mainly by not smoking.

Head & Neck Cancer Treatment at Dignity Health

Treatment depends on the type, location, and stage of the disease. Dignity Health doctors may use a combination of treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and targeted therapy.

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