4-4-06

Head and Neck Cancer

Approximately 45,000 Americans are diagnosed with cancer of the head and neck area each year. And most of these cancers are related to tobacco use.

Oral, head and neck cancer is one of the most common, yet preventable cancers. It includes a variety of cancers in the head and neck area. The most common type of these cancers is squamous cell carcinoma, says Dr. James Malone, assistant professor of otolaryngology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. He says symptoms can be subtle, but some of the warning signs to watch for are:

SOUND BITE: ". . . the onset of a sore throat that is lasting longer than two to three weeks, hoarseness that is continuing to get worse, or has lasted greater than two weeks. A lump in the neck may be another symptom or sign of head and neck cancer. Pain with swallowing, ear pain or earache maybe another sign or symptom of head and neck cancer."

Dr. Malone says two major risk factors for head and neck cancer are tobacco and alcohol. And, when used together, the two substances have a synergistic effect and can increase a person’s chances of getting this cancer by about 10 percent. Family history and previous radiation treatments to the head and neck area are also risk factors for the disease. He describes some treatment options:

SOUND BITE: ". . . in general there are three forms of treatment for head and neck cancer and those include surgery - In other words, removing the tumor, radiation, which is an X-ray beam therapy and chemotherapy. Depending on the stage of the tumor and again, the patient’s underlying medical problems, we’ll make a decision of whether to use one or a combination of treatments."

Several locations in Illinois are offering free head and neck cancer screenings this month, including two by SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. Check with your primary care physician to find a location near you. You can also ask for a head and neck exam during your next office visit.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.