Treatment options for head and neck cancers vary greatly. Ultimately, a multidisciplinary team should be formed to ensure the best outcome. The treatment plan will involve a tumor board comprised of members from all the treating disciplines, including radiation oncologists and pathologists. The goal of this board will be to determine the best treatment options for the patient, based on the type of cancer, the stage of the disease and the patient’s health status. The team should also include ear, nose, and throat surgeons, radiation oncologists, dentistry, nutritionists, and a speech pathologist, among others.
People choose to participate in clinical trials for various reasons, from a desire to find the most effective treatment options for their conditions, to the knowledge that they will be contributing to the future of head and neck cancer treatments. Because the current standard of care for this cancer is not ideal, many people decide to take on the uncertainty that comes with participating in a clinical trial. The benefits of participating in a clinical trial are far outweigh the risks.
When someone suspects they have a head or neck cancer, they should have an annual physical examination. This exam should include the neck and face for lumps or swollen lymph nodes. A doctor should also examine the mouth, gums, and throat to detect any signs of cancer. Blood tests and imaging studies may be ordered to detect cancer markers and tumors. A follow-up visit will provide important information about the cancer’s progress and treatment options.
Currently, most treatment options for head and neck cancers involve combining a combination of therapies. One such treatment option is radiofrequency thermal ablation. This minimally invasive procedure uses high-frequency energy to heat up the tumor, killing the cancer cells and boosting the immune system’s ability to fight the disease. Gene therapy, on the other hand, is a treatment method that involves manipulating genes to cure the disease.
Treatment for head and neck cancers depends on the type of tumor and the stage of the disease. Surgery or radiation may be the only option or it may be combined with chemotherapy. Some types of head and neck cancer respond to either of these treatments, but the choice depends on the stage and location of the disease. In general, radiation therapy and surgery are effective treatments for head and neck cancer. They are effective and fast-acting. It is essential to note that radiation therapy is more expensive than surgery and may have less success with treating certain types of tumors.
Squamous cell carcinomas are the most common type of head and neck cancer. These cancers begin in the flat squamous cells that make up the surface of structures in the head and neck. In addition, there are moist tissues called mucosa in these areas. Cancers of the squamous layer of cells is referred to as carcinoma in situ, while cancers that invade deeper tissues are called invasive squamous cell carcinomas.
