Cancer is a group of many related diseases that begin in cells, the body's
basic unit of life. Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells in an
orderly way. They perform their functions for a while, and then they die.
Sometimes, however, cells do not die. Instead, they continue to divide and
create new cells that the body does not need. The extra cells form a mass of
tissue, called a growth or tumor. There are two types of tumors: benign and
malignant. Benign tumors are not cancer. They do not invade nearby tissue or
spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are cancer. Their growth
invades normal structures near the tumor and spreads to other parts of the body.
Metastasis is the spread of cancer beyond one location in the body.
What kinds of cancers are considered cancers of the head and neck?
Most head and neck cancers begin in the cells that line the mucosal surfaces
in the head and neck area, e.g., mouth, nose, and throat. Mucosal surfaces are
moist tissues lining hollow organs and cavities of the body open to the
environment. Normal mucosal cells look like scales (squamous) under the
microscope, so head and neck cancers are often referred to as squamous cell
carcinomas. Some head and neck cancers begin in other types of cells. For
example, cancers that begin in glandular cells are called adenocarcinomas.
Cancers of the head and neck are further identified by the area in which they
begin:
Oral cavity. The oral cavity includes the lips, the front two-thirds of the
tongue, the gingiva (gums), the buccal mucosa (lining inside the cheeks and
lips), the floor (bottom) of the mouth under the tongue, the hard palate (bony
top of the mouth), and the small area behind the wisdom teeth.
Salivary glands. The salivary glands produce saliva, the fluid that keeps
mucosal surfaces in the mouth and throat moist. There are many salivary glands;
the major ones are in the floor of the mouth, and near the jawbone.
Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. The paranasal sinuses are small hollow
spaces in the bones of the head surrounding the nose. The nasal cavity is the
hollow space inside the nose.
Pharynx. The pharynx is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts
behind the nose and leads to the esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach)
and the trachea (the tube that goes to the lungs). The pharynx has three parts:
Nasopharynx. The nasopharynx, the upper part of the pharynx, is behind the
nose.
Oropharynx. The oropharynx is the middle part of the pharynx. The
oropharynx includes the soft palate (the back of the mouth), the base of the
tongue, and the tonsils.
Hypopharynx. The hypopharynx is the lower part of the pharynx.
Larynx. The larynx, also called the voicebox, is a short passageway formed
by cartilage just below the pharynx in the neck. The larynx contains the vocal
cords. It also has a small piece of tissue, called the epiglottis, which moves
to cover the larynx to prevent food from entering the air passages.
Lymph nodes in the upper part of the neck. Sometimes, squamous cancer cells
are found in the lymph nodes of the upper neck when there is no evidence of
cancer in other parts of the head and neck. When this happens, the cancer is
called metastatic squamous neck cancer with unknown (occult) primary.
Cancers of the brain, eye, and thyroid as well as those of the scalp, skin,
muscles, and bones of the head and neck are not usually grouped with cancers of
the head and neck.
Most sore throats are caused by viruses or mechanical causes (such as mouth breathing) and can be treated successfully at home. However, a person should be seen by a health care professional if they have a sore throat that has a rapid onset, and is associated with a fever or tenderness of the front of the neck; a sore throat that causes the person to have difficulty swallowing (not just pain swallowing) or breathing; or if a sore throat lasts for more than a week.
Anemia is the condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. The oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is, therefore, decreased.
The term oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth (oral cavity) and the back of the mouth (oropharynx). Red and white patches inside the mouth, bleeding, loose teeth, pain upon swallowing, a lump in the neck, earache, and a sore on your lip or in your mouth that won't heal are all symptoms of oral cancer. Treatment for oral cancer depends upon the staging of the disease and usually involves surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. HPV is primarily transmitted by sexual contact. While some people develop warts in the genital region after infection, others experience no symptoms. Though genital warts can be removed, there is no cure for HPV infection. There is a vaccine to prevent infection from four common HPV types.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Symptoms of cancer of the larynx, the organ at the front of the neck, include hoarseness, a lump in the neck, sore throat, cough, problems breathing, bad breath, earache, and weight loss. Treatment for larynx cancer depends on the stage (the extent) of the disease. Radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy are all forms of treatment for laryngeal cancer.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Hoarseness (abnormal deep, harsh, raspy voice) is caused by a variety of conditions in which the larynx (voice box and vocal chords) are irritated or injured. Examples of causes of hoarseness include: laryngitis, straining the vocal cords by yelling or screaming, infections, GERD, allergies, and more. Treatment of hoarseness depends on the cause.
Salivary gland cancer is cancer that affects the parotid glands, sublingual glands, or the submandibular glands. Risk factors include older age, radiation therapy treatment to head or neck, and being exposed to certain substances at work. Signs include fluid draining from the ear, pain, numbness, weakness, trouble swallowing, and a lump. Treatment depends upon the stage of the cancer and usually involves surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or radiosensitizers.
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a form of cancer in which malignant cells form in the nasopharynx tissues. Risk factors include being of Chinese or Asian ancestry and exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus. Symptoms and signs of nasopharyngeal cancer include a sore throat, a lump in the neck or nose, trouble hearing, nosebleeds, headaches, and trouble hearing, breathing, or speaking. Treatment depends upon the stage of the cancer, the tumor size, the type of cancer, and the patient's health and age.
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Asbestos exposure lung disease is divided into three main types, asbestosis (lung scarring caused by asbestos fibers), disease of the lining of the lung (pleural plaques, scarring, or fluid accumulation), and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos exposure. Cancers of the larynx, throat, kidney, esophagus, and gallbladder have been linked to asbestos exposure. Treatment is dependant upon the type of condition related to asbestos exposure.
The most common taste disorder is phantom taste perception; that is, a lingering, often unpleasant taste even though you have nothing in your mouth. We also can experience a reduced ability to taste sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami, a condition called hypogeusia. Some people cannot detect any tastes, which is called ageusia.
Genital warts are caused by infection with a subgroup of the human
papillomaviruses (HPVs).
Another subgroup of the HPVs that infect the anogenital tract can lead to
precancerous changes in the uterine cervix and cause
cervical cancer.
HPV infection is now considered to be the most common sexually-transmitted
infection (sexually transmitted disease, STD) in the U.S., and it is believed
that at least 75% of the reproductive-age population has been infected with
sexually-transmitted HPV at some point in life.
HPV infection is common and does not usually lead to the development of
warts, cancers, or even symptoms.
HPV infection of the genital tract is transmitted through sexual contact,
although non-sexual transmission is also possible.
In many cases genital warts do not cause any symptoms, but they are
sometimes associated with itching, burning, or tenderness.
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