Head
and neck cancer is a term used to describe cancers of the
nose, throat, neck, and voice box. Head and neck cancer
is not one disease but, rather, a collection of many different
types of cancers that can vary in location, aggressiveness,
signs and symptoms, treatment, and prognosis. The most
common type of cancer is squamous cell cancer SCCA). While
a number of risk factors can contribute to the development
of SCCA, by far the biggest factor is smoking or other
use of tobacco products (eg-chewing tobacco).
Signs
and symptoms of SCCA can vary depending on the location
involved. These cancers can be very deceptive because the
symptoms are often non-specific and can also be caused
by many simpler and more common causes. For |
|
example,
nose cancers may cause congestion which can also be caused
by
allergies or a deviated septum. Voice box cancer will cause
hoarseness
which can also be caused by
a "laryngitis". In
general, one should watch for a lump in the neck, change
in voice or swallowing, bleeding from the nose or throat,
a sore which doesn't heal, or a earache which doesn't go
away. Yes, even an earache can be a sign of head and neck
cancer. The same nerves go to the back parts of the throat
as well as to the ear. Thus, pain from a throat cancer can "radiate" into
the ear in much the same was as pain from a heart attack
can cause the patient to have pain down his/her left arm.
|
