There is a great relationship between early diagnosis of head and neck cancers and the success of treatment. The stage and type of cancer, the patient's age, gender, body resistance, and the patient's socioeconomic status are very important in treatment planning. Ear Nose Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Specialist Assoc. Dr. Fikret Kasapoğlu explained.
Malignant tumors-cancers located in the head and neck region constitute 9 percent of all body cancers and 4 percent of cancer deaths. It is 4-5 times more common in men than women. It is more common in people over the age of 50. Among head and neck cancers, laryngeal cancers are the most common (45-50 percent). In the development of cancers; It is known that smoking, tobacco chewing, alcohol, genetic factors, malnutrition, environmental factors, hygienic factors, industrial products, radiation and some microbes play a role. Increasing environmental pollution in recent years, food deficiencies, chemicals used to prevent food spoilage, GMO-modified foods, industrial wastes destroying natural water resources and nature, pollution of the atmosphere; It has negative effects on human health and life, causing important health problems and an increase in cancers. Continuous exposure to sunlight increases lip cancers.
Some microbes, which we call viruses, are involved in the formation of swallowing. As with all cancers, successful treatment of cancers in this region depends on early diagnosis. Head and neck cancers are diseases that show earlier symptoms than many other types of cancer in the body. For this reason, early diagnosis can be made by taking into consideration some warning signs and symptoms in time.
AREAS COVERED
Very important functions such as breathing, speech, swallowing and hearing. Areas covered by the head and neck region:
• Lips in the oral cavity, inner part of the cheeks, gums, palate, tongue, tissues on the floor of the mouth,
• Inside the nose and facial bones and their the sinus cavities located in it,
• Tissues in the uppermost part of the throat and pharynx called nasopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx,
• Tissues in the vocal cords and larynx area,
• Tissues in the auricle and external auditory canal,
• Salivary glands, thyroid gland and neck other skin, lymph and muscle tissues.
SYMPTOMS
Usually painless and growing swelling in any part of the head and neck, inside the mouth, on the tongue or lips that does not heal Sores, numbness in the mouth, difficulty in chewing and swallowing, ongoing hoarseness or change in voice, difficulty breathing, ongoing nasal congestion or nosebleeds, swelling around the eyes or double vision, persistent earaches, tinnitus or difficulty in hearing may occur.
NECK SWELLING
Head and neck cancers usually spread to the lymph nodes in the neck before spreading anywhere else in the body. Swelling in the neck that does not go away for more than 2-3 weeks should be seen by a doctor. Of course, not all swellings mean cancer. However, swelling can be the first sign of mouth, larynx, goiter, lymph and blood cancer. Such swellings are usually painless and tend to grow gradually.
CHANGE IN THE VOICE
Many laryngeal cancers cause voice changes. Hoarseness or voice changes lasting longer than 2 weeks are important. Although the cause of many voice changes is not cancer, an ear, nose, and throat specialist should examine the larynx and vocal cords endoscopically. Most tongue and lip cancers begin as wounds and swelling on the neck that do not heal in 2-3 weeks. Wounds and swellings are painless unless they become inflamed. If there is swelling in the neck along with wounds, it should be taken more seriously. Throat, pharynx and larynx cancers can make it difficult to swallow solid foods and sometimes liquids. Swallowing may become painful. Skin cancers in the head and neck region are most commonly seen in areas where the skin is more exposed to the sun, such as the forehead, face, ears and lips.
Pain in and around the ear while swallowing; It may be due to a tumor or infection growing in the throat, nasal passages or larynx. Long-lasting earaches; It is even more important if it is accompanied by difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or a swelling in the neck.
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