Head & Neck Cancers
At West Cancer Center, head and neck cancers are treated using a team‑based approach. Your care may involve head and neck surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, speech‑language pathologists, and other specialists who work together to create the best plan for you.
Hypopharyngeal Cancer
Begins in the lower part of the throat, behind the voice box and above the esophagus. Most cases start in the thin, flat squamous cells that line this area.
Risk Factors
• Tobacco or alcohol use
• Poor nutrition
• HPV infection
• GERD
• Plummer Vinson syndrome
• Difficulty swallowing
• Certain anemia or biological factors
Common Symptoms
• Persistent sore throat or feeling something is “stuck”
• Pain or trouble swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Swollen lymph nodes or a lump in the neck
• Ongoing cough
Diagnosis
Your surgeon may perform a flexible fiberoptic endoscopy, a simple in office procedure using a small camera through the nose. Imaging (CT, MRI, PET) and a biopsy under anesthesia help confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment Options
Depending on tumor size and spread, treatment may include:
• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
Laryngeal Cancer
Affects the voice box (larynx). Almost all cases begin in the squamous cells lining the larynx.
Risk Factors
• Tobacco and heavy alcohol use
• Being male
• Age over 55
• Higher rates in Black and white individuals
• Chronic gastric reflux
Common Symptoms
• Hoarseness or voice changes
• Lump in the neck
• Persistent sore throat
• Trouble swallowing
• Ear pain
• Persistent bad breath
Diagnosis
A fiberoptic laryngoscopy helps your doctor view the vocal cords. Imaging tests and biopsies confirm the diagnosis. Swallowing tests may also be used to plan treatment.
Treatment Options
• Surgery (from laser procedures to total laryngectomy)
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy Often, treatments are combined to preserve voice and swallowing when possible.
Nasopharyngeal Cancer
This rare cancer begins in the nasopharynx, the area behind the nose and above the roof of the mouth.
Risk Factors
• Heavy tobacco or alcohol use
• Eating salt cured foods
• Exposure to dust or smoke
• Higher rates in Southeast Asia, southern China, northern Africa
• Epstein Barr virus
• Family history
• Being male
Common Symptoms
• Lump(s) in the neck
• Ringing in the ears
• Nosebleeds or stuffy nose
• Sudden hearing loss
• Persistent ear infections
• Facial pain or numbness
• Difficulty speaking, breathing, or opening the mouth
Diagnosis
Evaluation includes a full head and neck exam, hearing tests, imaging, EBV testing, and biopsy.
Treatment Options
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Surgery (in select cases)
• Targeted therapy Often, treatments are combined.
Oral & Lip Cancers
Begin in the mouth or on the lips, most commonly in squamous cells.
Risk Factors
• Tobacco use
• Heavy alcohol use
• HPV infection
• Long term sun exposure
• Being male
Common Symptoms
• Red or white patches on the lip
• Tingling, pain, or numbness
• A sore on the lip that does not heal
Diagnosis
A physical exam is followed by imaging and a biopsy of the lip or mouth tissue.
Treatment Options
• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy
Oropharyngeal Cancer
Starts in the middle part of the throat, including the tonsils, base of tongue, and soft palate.
Risk Factors
• HPV infection (most common cause)
• Tobacco and alcohol use
• Family history
Common Symptoms
• Sore throat that doesn’t improve
• Pain or difficulty swallowing
• Trouble opening the mouth
• White patches in the mouth
• Lump in the throat or neck
• Unexplained weight loss
• Ear pain
• Coughing up blood
Diagnosis
Evaluation may include blood tests, laryngoscopy, imaging (CT, MRI, PET), and biopsy.
Treatment Options
Depending on tumor size and spread, treatment may include:
• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
Nasal & Paranasal Sinus Cancers
Begin in the nasal cavity or the air‑filled sinuses around the nose. Some tumors are benign; others are malignant.
Risk Factors
• Long term workplace exposure to wood, leather, or nickel dust
• Tobacco smoking
• HPV infection
• More common in men over age 50
Common Symptoms
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Frequent headaches
• Loss of smell
• Nosebleeds
• Facial pain or swelling
• Watery eyes
• Vision problems
• Lump in the neck
Diagnosis
Diagnosis includes a physical exam, nasal endoscopy, imaging (CT/MRI), and biopsy.
Treatment Options
Because these cancers are rare, treatment is highly individualized and may include:
• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy Care is coordinated by ENT surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists.
Salivary Gland Cancers
Begin in the glands that produce saliva. Most tumors are benign, but some are malignant.
Risk Factors
• Age over 55
• Prior radiation to the head or neck
• Workplace exposure to nickel dust, asbestos, or rubber manufacturing
• Certain viral or genetic factors
Common Symptoms
• Painless lump near the ear, cheek, jaw, or inside the mouth
• Facial numbness or weakness
• Ongoing pain
• Trouble swallowing or opening the mouth
Diagnosis
Evaluation includes a head and neck exam, imaging (MRI/CT), biopsy, and facial nerve assessment.
Treatment Options
• Surgery (primary treatment)
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy for advanced disease