Head & Neck Cancers
Cancer of the head and neck affects the moist tissues that line our organs and body cavities, such as the throat, voice box and mouth.
Smoking tobacco products is the number one cause of most head and neck cancers. Dangerous byproducts in tobacco can damage our cells, which can then multiply out of control and cause cancer. If you smoke and drink alcohol excessively, you are at even greater risk of developing head or neck cancer, especially cancer of the throat, mouth or voice box.
Other common sites for head and neck cancers are the sinuses, the nose and the salivary glands. This group of cancers represents less than 5% of cancers in the U.S., affecting less than 40,000 Americans each year. See your doctor if you feel any numbness in your face, have a lump in your neck, mouth or jaw, have difficulty swallowing, or develop hoarseness in your voice.
Recently Answered
- Q How do radiation and chemotherapy treat neuroblastoma?
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Chemotherapy treats neuroblastoma by using chemicals that attack and kill cancer cells. Radiation helps to treat neuroblastoma by using energy to kill cancer cells. While these treatments have a good success rate, they also have some serious... Full Answer
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- Q How does surgery help treat neuroblastoma?
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Surgery is especially helpful in the early stages of neuroblastoma. In the early stages of neuroblastoma, surgery can be used to completely remove a neuroblastoma tumor. If the cancer has spread, surgery, if at all possible at this point, may help to... Full Answer
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- Q Are there alternative treatments for neuroblastoma?
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There are no alternative treatments for neuroblastoma. When your child has neuroblastoma, it must be treated as soon as possible with medications that have been proven to work. When other treatments have failed, doctors may recommend retinoid therapy,... Full Answer
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- Q What are the "late effects" of neuroblastoma?
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"Late effects" of neuroblastoma refer to the life-long side effects of neuroblastoma and its treatment. After being cured, neuroblastoma can include side effects like stunted growth and organ malfunction. Also, treatments like chemotherapy and radiation... Full Answer
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- Q How do medications treat neuroblastoma?
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If surgery is not enough to cure neuroblastoma, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy. Chemotherapy involves dugs like nicristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, etoposide, and cisplatin to kill the cancer cells. However, these drugs can have many... Full Answer
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- Q What causes neuroblastoma?
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Neuroblasts are nerves that help the fetus to develop nerve cells, fibers, and your adrenal glands. Neuroblastoma is caused by rapid cell production by the neuroblast during fetal growth. This rapid cell production causes a growth or tumor to develop.... Full Answer
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- Q How is neuroblastoma diagnosed?
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There are many different tests that your doctor can administer to diagnose neuroblastoma. First, your doctor may perform a physical exam and then screen your child's urine and blood to look for chemicals found in neuroblastoma. They may also conduct an... Full Answer
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- Q Can neuroblastoma be prevented?
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Researchers do not know what causes neuroblast cells to mutate during pregnancy, so it is also difficult to know how to prevent neuroblastoma. In some cases, neuroblastoma can be identified while the child is still in the womb which allows for early... Full Answer
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- Q What do I need to know about caring for someone with oropharyngeal cancer?
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Caring for someone with oropharyngeal cancer may be difficult, although there are many ways you can help. You can listen empathetically to their thoughts or help with everyday housework and grocery shopping. The person may feel lonely and afraid, so... Full Answer
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- Q How do I manage my oropharyngeal cancer on a daily basis?
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Oropharyngeal cancer may be difficult to manage on a daily basis, although there are many things you can do to cope. You may experience side effects from the treatments, and you may feel emotionally overwhelmed by your diagnosis. Your doctor can help you... Full Answer
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