Head and neck cancer
Many head and neck cancers are curable when found early. Removing the cancer remains the first goal, but preserving the surrounding tissues, organs and nerves matters just as much. In planning your treatment, we take into account its effects on smell, speech, vision, swallowing and breathing.
Treatment options
Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are the three main avenues. They are used alone or in combination.
La recommandation qui vous sera faite dépend du stade du cancer, des effets secondaires attendus, de votre état de santé général — et de vos préférences. Prenez le temps de vous informer sur l’ensemble de vos options et posez toutes vos questions.
What we are talking about
Head and neck cancers include tumours of the mouth, tongue, throat, larynx, salivary glands, thyroid, nose and sinuses, as well as lymph nodes of the neck. Outcome depends closely on when the diagnosis is made: a lesion found early is easier to treat, with fewer lasting effects on speech and swallowing.
Signs that warrant a consultation
One criterion recurs in every case: persistence. An ordinary symptom that does not clear after three weeks deserves to be examined. In practice this means a mouth sore that will not heal, a neck lump that does not settle, hoarseness that takes hold, one-sided throat pain, ear pain with no ear problem, difficulty or pain on swallowing, one-sided nasal obstruction, repeated nosebleeds from the same side, or unexplained weight loss.
Risk factors
Tobacco and alcohol remain the principal ones, and together they multiply the risk. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is now implicated in a substantial share of oropharyngeal cancers, including in people who have never smoked. Sun exposure for the lips and facial skin, and certain occupational exposures for the sinuses, complete the picture.
The assessment
It includes a full examination of the head and neck, with flexible nasal endoscopy to view the pharynx and larynx. Depending on the findings, imaging — ultrasound, CT or MRI — and a biopsy or fine-needle aspiration establish the diagnosis. When a cancer is confirmed, the case is discussed by a multidisciplinary team and care continues in hospital, where surgery, radiotherapy and systemic treatment are coordinated.
If in doubt
It is always better to have a persistent symptom examined and be reassured than to wait. Speak to your physician, who can send us a referral.
Other ENT topics
Otology & neurotology · Pediatric otolaryngology · Salivary gland disorders · Sinus disease, endoscopic and nasal surgery
See also Common ENT conditions. Consultations are by physician referral: Book an appointment.