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Head and Neck Cancer Center - Jefferson City, MO

Jefferson City Oncologist Doctors for Head and Neck Cancer

Type of Physician: Oncologist

What is a Oncologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; the oncologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer and other benign and malignant tumors. These subspecialists decide on and administer chemotherapy as well as consult with surgeons and radiotherapists on other treatment for cancer.

Specialty: Oncology (Medical)

Common Name: Cancer Doctor

Jefferson City, Missouri

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Head and Neck Cancer

What is cancer?

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 mois...

Recommended Reading Related to Head and Neck Cancer

Oral Cancer »

The mouth and throat

This booklet is about cancers that occur in the mouth (oral cavity) and the part of the throat at the back of the mouth (oropharynx). The oral cavity and oropharynx have many parts:

  • Lips
  • Lining of your cheeks
  • Salivary glands (glands that make saliva)
  • Roof of your mouth (hard palate)
  • Back of your mouth (soft palate and uvula)
  • Floor of your mouth (area under the tongue)
  • Gums and teeth
  • Tongue
  • Tonsils

Understanding cancer

Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body.

Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place.

Sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. New cells for...

Emergency Contact for Jefferson City

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Jefferson City Hospitals *

Capital Region Medical Center Madison
1125 Madison St
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573)632-5000

St Marys Health Center
100 St Marys Medical Plz
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573)761-7000

Callaway Community Hospital
10 S Hospital Dr
Fulton, MO 65251
(573)642-3376

Fulton State Hospital
600 E Fifth St
Fulton, MO 65251
(573)592-4100

Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital
800 Hospital Dr
Columbia, MO 65201
(573)814-6000

Mid Missouri Mental Health Center
3 Hospital Dr
Columbia, MO 65201
(573)884-1300

University of Missouri Health Care Hospital
One Hospital Dr
Columbia, MO 65212
(573)882-4141

Boone Hospital Center
1600 E Broadway
Columbia, MO 65201
(573)815-8000

Columbia Regional Hospital
404 Keene St
Columbia, MO 65201
(573)875-9000

Ellis Fischel Cancer Center
115 Business Loop 70 W
Columbia, MO 65203
(573)882-2100

Howard A Rusk Rehabilitation Center
315 Business Loop 70 W
Columbia, MO 65203
(573)817-2703

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