Head and Neck Cancer Center - Tempe, AZ
Tempe Oncologist Doctors for Head and Neck CancerType 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 Oncologist Doctors in Tempe * Desert Oncology Associates  Desert Oncology Associates  Banner Blood & Marrow Transplant Program  Premiere Oncology of Arizona  Premiere Oncology of Arizona  Premiere Oncology of Arizona  Affiliated Oncologists Ltd  Matthew J Seidel MD & Bruce Mallin MD  Matthew J Seidel MD & Bruce Mallin MD  Southwest Hematology Oncology PC  BCG Oncology PC  Longlife Medical Inc  Desert Springs Cancer Care PLC  Desert Springs Cancer Care PLC  Arizona Center for Hematology & Oncology PLC  Palo Verde Hematology Oncology Tempe, ArizonaUpcoming Local Events2012-07-14
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Head and Neck CancerRead the Head and Neck Cancer article » 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:
Recommended Reading Related to Head and Neck CancerPercutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) » What is percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)?Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a surgical procedure for placing a tube for feeding without having to perform an open operation on the abdomen (laparotomy). It is used in patients who will be unable to take in food by mouth for a prolonged period of time. A gastrostomy, or surgical opening into the stomach, is made through the skin using an a flexible, lighted instrument (endoscope) passed orally into the stomach to assist with the placement of the tube and secure it in place. What is the purpose of percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy?The purpose of a percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy is to feed those patients who cannot swallow food. Irrespective of the age of the patient or their medical condition, the purpose of percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy is to provide fluids and nutrition directly into the stomach. Who does percutaneous endosco...Read the Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) article » Other Related Head and Neck Cancer ArticlesEmergency Contact for Tempe
Nearby Tempe Hospitals *Tempe St Luke's Hospital Banner Behavioral Health Hospital Banner Desert Medical Center Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Select Specialty Hospital Scottsdale Arizona State Hospital Desert Vista Hospital Maricopa Medical Center St Luke's Behavioral Health Center St Luke's Medical Center Youth Development Institute Los Ninos Hospital Arizona Orthopedic Surgical Hospital Arizona Heart Hospital Phoenix Children's Hospital Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center  Banner Good Samaritan Rehabilitation  Select Specialty Hospital Phoenix Downtown  Phoenix Indian Medical Center  Phoenix Memorial Health Care Center  Promise Hospital of Phoenix  Carl T Hayden VA Medical Center  Select Specialty Hospital Phoenix  St Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center  Kindred Hospital Phoenix  Chandler Regional Hospital  Scottsdale Healthcare Shea  HEALTHSOUTH Scottsdale Rehabilitation Hospital  Phoenix Baptist Hospital  Kindred Hospital Scottsdale  Surgical Specialty Hospital of Arizona  Arizona Spine & Joint Hospital  John C Lincoln Hospital North Mountain  Banner Gateway Medical Center  Maryvale Hospital Medical Center  Mercy Gilbert Medical Center  Banner Baywood Medical Center  Banner Baywood Heart Hospital  Paradise Valley Hospital  Mayo Clinic Hospital  Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak  Banner Estrella Medical Center  Banner Thunderbird Medical Center  Mountain Vista Medical Center  John C Lincoln Hospital Deer Valley  HEALTHSOUTH Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital  Arrowhead Hospital  Banner Boswell Medical Center  West Valley Hospital  Gila River Health Care Huhukam Memorial Hospital  Banner Del E Webb Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Head and Neck Cancer by Our Doctors
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Genital Warts (HPV)
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Larynx Cancer
- 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.
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Oral Cancer
- 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.
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Sore Throat (Pharyngitis)
- 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.
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Hoarseness
- 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.
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Salivary Gland Cancer
- 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.
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Nasopharyngeal Cancer
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