What Is Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer?
by Trish

A little bit about Cancer
Cancer is a nasty illness, caused by the irregular mutation of cells in the body. It is sad to say, but cancer affects all of us in many different ways. Some of us are suffering with it, others of us love someone living with or deceased as a result of cancer. Sometimes it kills, sometimes it maims, but no matter who it is affecting, it always hurts.

Oral Head and Neck Cancer is one of the many types of debilitating and life threatening cancers that affects thousands every day. Oral, Head, and/or Neck cancer develops in the mucosal or glandular parts of the mouth, nose, and throat areas. Mucosal surfaces are the tissue lining for organs and places in one’s body that are exposed to the outside environment (the insides of your cheeks are an example of mucosal tissue). Although mucosal cancers are the most common type of cancer of the mouth, nose, and throat, glandular cancers are also common.

According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer usually sprouts in specific areas. To name a few: the lips, tongue, gums, cheek lining, hard palate, salivary glands, sinuses, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, and lymph nodes. For a complete list, including detailed explanations, please visit: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/sites-types/head-and-neck

Causes of this horrible disease
As cliché as it sounds, tobacco is probably the most common cause for Oral Head and Neck Cancer. Smoking can cause all kinds of cancer, and cancer in the mouth, nose, and neck are no strangers to it. But, smoking is not the only type of tobacco use that can cause cancer. Smokeless tobaccos, such as chewing tobacco can also cause a problem. Alcohol use is another risk factor, and when combined with tobacco use the risk becomes higher.

Besides tobacco and alcohol, different factors can lead to different places where cancer will affect the body. The sun and the common sexually transmitted disease HPV*** are common causes to cancer developing on the lips. Radiation to the neck area will affect the salivary glands. Cancers that affect the sinuses, nasal cavity, and nasopharynx can be caused by inhaling dust from wood or nickel. Asbestos is a huge contributor to cancer in the larynx.

Some statistics
· Head and neck cancer make up 3-5% (roughly) of all cancers known in the United States.
· In 2005 it was estimated that 39,000 people would be diagnosed with Head and Neck cancer.
· Men and people over 50 are more likely to develop this disease.

Symptoms of Oral Head and Neck Cancer
Like many other forms of the disease, cancer in the mouth, nose, and neck can be found through a lump or a wound that will not heal. Difficulty swallowing and a change (usually hoarseness) in the voice are other telltale symptoms.

The National Cancer Institute also lists the following symptoms for specific areas:
· Oral cavity. A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth; a swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable; and unusual bleeding or pain in the mouth.
· Nasal cavity and sinuses. Sinuses that are blocked and do not clear, chronic sinus infections that do not respond to treatment with antibiotics, bleeding through the nose, frequent headaches, swelling or other trouble with the eyes, pain in the upper teeth, or problems with dentures.
· Salivary glands. Swelling under the chin or around the jawbone; numbness or paralysis of the muscles in the face; or pain that does not go away in the face, chin, or neck.
· Oropharynx and hypopharynx. Ear pain.
· Nasopharynx. Trouble breathing or speaking, frequent headaches, pain or ringing in the ears, or trouble hearing.
· Larynx. Pain when swallowing, or ear pain.
· Metastatic squamous neck cancer. Pain in the neck or throat that does not go away.

For more information, please visit: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/sites-types/head-and-neck

Treatment options
It is up to the doctor to decide what kind of treatment to use based on the type and stage of cancer, tumor size and location, and the health of the patient. Surgery involves physically removing the tumor. Radiation kills cancer cells by using high-energy x-rays. Radiation can be used via a machine or a chemical injection into the affected areas of the body. Chemotherapy is probably the best known form of cancer treatment. Chemotherapy drugs are used to slow down the rapid growth of cells within the body.

Radiation and Chemotherapy, while useful for fighting cancer, can cause some intense physical side effects. Radiation to the mouth can cause sores, dryness, difficulty swallowing, changes in taste or in some cases patients will lose taste completely, and nausea. Chemotherapy is common for causing hair to fall out, nausea, and a depleted immune system. It is common for someone on chemotherapy to die from a normally treatable illness such as influenza or the common cold.

Prevention
A lot of prevention has to do with common sense. DON’T SMOKE. DON’T CHEW TOBACCO. DON’T DRINK. USE SPF TREATED LIP BALM. If you or someone you love is working in a chemically hostile environment, make sure that proper breathing masks and apparatuses are provided before going to work. While it is true that some things are unavoidable, more often than not they are preventable. Please make wise decisions with your body. Denying yourself that smooth tobacco flavor or that fifth cocktail may be annoying at the time, but in the long run it may just be what saves your life.

***HPV Prevention!
Some strands of HPV are preventable. It is always important to use safe sex! HPV can cause cervical cancer in addition to cancer in the mouth. It can prevented through safe sex and some forms of drug therapy. For more information, visit: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hpv-infection/DS00906/DSECTION=prevention

For more information
Here are some links to help you learn more about Oral Head and Neck Cancer:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/sites-types/head-and-neck
National Cancer Institute

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prevention-genetics-causes/head-and-neck
More National Cancer Institute information

www.cancer.gov
National Cancer Institute’s homepage

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hpv-infection/DS00906/DSECTION=prevention
***Mayo Clinic’s description of HPV and how to prevent it