Head and neck cancer includes a wide variety of tumours that can develop in this area of the body: from the oral cavity, the paranasal sinuses, the pharynx, the cervical spine, the larynx or the salivary and thyroid glands.
Despite the fact that head and neck tumours represent only 6% to 8% of all cancer cases, this pathology has a great impact on patients because of its high incidence on quality of life and because it affects the most visible part of the body. The affected region is responsible for functions as important as speech, breathing and swallowing, so the loss or deterioration of these functions has a major impact on the patient’s life.
Among head and neck cancers, laryngeal cancer is the most frequent.
Lumps or nodules may appear in the thyroid, 95% of which are benign.
This type of tumour can be considered to have a primarily environmental or external aetiology. The main risk factors are:
Head and neck tumours account for only 6-8% of all cancer cases.
Drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco increase the risk of developing head and neck tumours.
Head and neck cancer has a 95% early cure rate.
Persistent ulceration inside the mouth, discomfort or difficulty in swallowing that lasts over time, hoarseness, or the appearance of lumps in the neck are some of the symptoms that could alert us to the presence of a possible tumour.
Tumours affecting the auditory nerve, on the other hand, usually manifest through tinnitus (persistent ringing), deafness and vertigo. If any of these symptoms are detected, it is advisable to see a doctor immediately.
There are no effective programmes for the early detection of head and neck cancer. Close follow-up is recommended for people with known risk factors, such as heavy smokers and drinkers. A simple examination by ENT specialists in maxillo-facial surgery can diagnose tumours in their early stages, often when the patient is asymptomatic.
The treatment of head and neck cancer is based on three different and complementary specialities: ENT surgery, radiation oncology and medical oncology.
Depending on the stage of the disease and the type of tumour, either one or another, or a combination of them, is used. Generally, in early stages, treatment usually involves surgery or radiotherapy. In advanced stages, however, all three specialities are usually combined.
The IVO Ear, Nose & Throat Service is a national and international benchmark thanks to its experience and its use of modern diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in the treatment of all types of head and neck tumours, from the simplest to the most complex.
As a specialty hospital, the centre is highly specialised in technical and human support for the treatment of oncological diseases, which is why it treats many complicated cases that may have been diagnosed in other centres. The specialists at the IVO also carry out operations on advanced skin tumours, as well as all types of reconstructions.
The Head and Neck Tumour Committee is made up of a multidisciplinary team of expert professionals.
The ENT Service of the IVO specialises in reconstructive surgery for head and neck tumours
The Service's team of professionals accompanies cancer patients throughout the whole disease process.
A clinical trial is a research study carried out on people with the aim of learning more about how the body reacts to certain treatments. These trials generally seek to find drugs that are more effective than the current best therapeutic option for patients, or that have similar efficacy but a better toxicity profile.
Bearing in mind that almost all currently available treatments are the result of clinical research, the importance of clinical trials is obvious.
The IVO has a clinical trials unit for all types of tumours and participates in phase 1-3 studies as well as other types of studies.
Whether you receive the news of an initial diagnosis of cancer or a relapse, coping with cancer can be emotionally overwhelming. Each person has their own way of coping with a head and neck cancer diagnosis, but there are some recommendations that can help you through this process: