【Health and Welfare News】 Head and neck cancer refers to cancer that occurs near the head and neck. Among head and neck cancers, the most common cancers include larynx, oral cavity, and tonsillar cancer. Because cancer occurs in the organs of eating, speaking, and breathing, treatment is known to be difficult. This is because it cannot be overlooked not only in treating cancer but also in preserving function. However, head and neck cancer is also a cancer that can be completely cured if detected and treated early.
If hoarseness persists for a long time, you feel a foreign body in your throat, or you produce bloody sputum, it may be an early symptom of head and neck cancer, so you must visit a hospital. We learn more about head and neck cancer with Professor Youngchan Lee of the Department of ENT at Gangdong Kyunghee University Hospital.
Head and neck cancer 5-year survival rate is around 60%, cure expected if detected early
The head and neck region refers to the area between the bottom of the brain and the top of the chest. Head and neck cancer refers to all cancers that occur in the head and neck region, including the oral cavity, nasal cavity, larynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, thyroid gland, and salivary glands, excluding the eyes, brain, ears, and esophagus. Representative cancers include laryngeal cancer, oral cancer, tonsil cancer, pharynx cancer, and salivary gland cancer. The overall 5-year survival rate is around 60% on average, but it is known that the prognosis varies depending on the site of cancer occurrence and stage. Like all cancers, the sooner head and neck cancer is detected, the higher the cure rate. However, since not much is known about the risk factors or symptoms of head and neck cancer, caution is needed as treatment timing is often missed.
If you have symptoms such as hoarseness or a foreign body sensation in your throat, you need a test.
Change in voice that lasts for more than 6 weeks, ulcers or swelling in the mouth that does not heal for more than 3 weeks, red and white spots on the oral mucosa, dysphagia (dysphagia) that lasts more than 3 weeks, persistent blockage of one nose or abnormal discharge accompanied by Symptoms of head and neck cancer include teeth that are loose regardless of periodontal disease, a lump in the neck that lasts for more than 3 weeks, symptoms of cranial nerve paralysis, an orbital lump, deafness on one side that lasts for more than 3 weeks, and difficulty breathing. This may be the case, so it is best to visit a hospital and receive treatment without delay.
Main causes ‘smoking’ and ‘human papilloma virus’
The main cause of head and neck cancer is smoking. The mouth, pharynx, and larynx are directly affected by smoking because they are the entrances to the respiratory tract. Smoking is known to have a 2 to 3 times higher risk of developing the disease compared to non-smokers. Drinking alcohol is also a trigger, and if men drink more than three times the recommended daily amount and women drink more than twice the recommended amount per day, the chance of developing head and neck cancer increases.
Additionally, ‘human papilloma virus (HPV)’ has recently been mentioned as a cause of head and neck cancer. It is usually infected through sexual intercourse and causes cervical cancer, anal cancer, and genital warts. If the mucous membrane of the mouth is infected through oral sex, etc., oropharyngeal cancer, among head and neck cancers, can occur. Other risk factors for head and neck cancer include gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal disease, exposure to radiation and ultraviolet rays, vitamin or iron deficiency, and continuous physical stimulation of the head and neck area.
Treatment that takes into account not only cancer removal but also reconstruction of eating and speaking functions
For head and neck cancer, surgery is the first treatment, and the second method is radiation therapy. There are many different surgical methods, but recently, minimally invasive methods that minimize scars or complications by accessing the mouth and performing the surgery are increasing. In cases where surgery is not possible or metastatic head and neck cancer is present, immunotherapy that activates the body’s immune cells is used. Professor Lee Young-chan said, “In the treatment of head and neck cancer, it is very important not only to cure the disease, but also to resolve the patient’s quality of life and cosmetic issues after surgery.” He added, “In other words, the characteristic is that the cancer must be treated while preserving the patient’s function as much as possible.” .” he explained.
Consider endoscopic or robotic surgery as minimally invasive, function-preserving treatment.
For head and neck cancer, minimally invasive, function-preserving surgery is very important. With the development of endoscopic or robotic surgery, the indications for intraoral surgery, which can be operated by accessing the mouth, have expanded. There are many reported results of effective cancer treatment and improvement of life functions by minimizing skin incisions and maximizing preservation of organs necessary for eating and speaking. Transoral laser surgery or endoscopic surgery is a method of resecting lesions with a laser or endoscopic instrument while observing the surgical site located deep in the throat in a magnified manner using an operating microscope or endoscope inside the mouth. Compared to traditional open surgery or radiation therapy, it has the advantage of a shorter treatment period and lower medical costs.
Among head and neck cancers, robotic surgery is possible for cancers that occur on the tonsils or the root of the tongue. Surgery can be performed with a much better view than with the naked eye, shortening the time and reducing the incision range. Additionally, metastatic head and neck cancer that is inoperable can be treated with immunotherapy drugs that activate the body’s immune cells to attack the cancer.
Avoid risk factors such as smoking, drinking, and oral sex.
If you want to prevent head and neck cancer, you must avoid smoking and drinking. It is a good idea to refrain from oral sex and regularly check your oral health through regular checkups. Although it has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in Korea, the papilloma virus vaccine (cervical cancer virus vaccine) is known to help prevent oropharyngeal cancer, so the vaccine is being expanded to men in many countries, including the United States. Therefore, papilloma virus vaccination can also be a good way to prevent head and neck cancer. Above all, early detection is most important, so it is recommended that adults in their 40s to 50s or older who smoke and drink frequently receive regular checkups related to head and neck cancer at an otolaryngology department at least once a year.
<예방수칙>
1) Smoking is the main cause of head and neck cancer, so be sure to quit smoking.
2) Avoid excessive drinking.
3) Practice safe sex to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
4) If you enjoy smoking and drinking, check your mouth and throat regularly through regular checkups.
5) Keep your oral condition, including dentures, clean.
2024-01-25 00:28:00
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