Research is one of the mainstays of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid. The center increases its research activity every year and to date, more than 500 patients have taken part in some sort of clinical trial.
Head & Neck Cancer
DESCRIPTION AND TYPES
Head and neck cancer is a term used to describe cancers that originate in the head or neck area. Cancers of the head and neck are often identified by the site in which they originate.
Traditionally, sites of head and neck cancer include:
- Oral cavity (mouth, lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, tonsils and mouth floor)
- Salivary glands
- Nasal cavity / paranasal sinuses / nasopharynx
- Throat / pharynx
- Larynx / voice box
Tumors treated in MD Anderson include, but are not limited to those of the:
- Upper aerodigestive tract, including mouth, jaw, throat and larynx
- Thyroid
- Skin of the head and neck, including melanoma
- Salivary glands
- Nose and paranasal sinuses
- Ear and temporal bone
- Neck and metastases to the neck
- Sarcomas of the head and neck
- Tumors of the skull base
- Head and neck tumors in children
- Otolaryngologic maladies in patients with tumors elsewhere in the body
Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancers vary depending on the particular type of cancer.
Symptoms
Symptoms of head and neck cancers vary by cancer type. General symptoms may include:
- Swelling, soreness, pain (face, throat, neck, mouth, etc.)
- Sores that don’t heal or lumps that don’t go away
- Paralysis on one side of the face
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- A change or hoarseness in the voice
Having one or more of the symptoms listed above does not necessarily mean you have a head and neck cancer. However, it is important to discuss any symptoms with your doctor, since they may indicate other health problems.
...AND MD ANDERSON
PREVENTION
Risk Factors
The risk of developing several head and neck cancers can be reduced through lifestyle choices. Other risk factors are attributed to the environment and cannot be changed or controlled.
Tobacco (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff) and alcohol consumption are the two most common causes of head and neck cancer. Heavy tobacco and alcohol intake together greatly increases the risk.
Additional risk factors may include:
- Human papilloma viruses (HPV)
- Poor oral hygiene
- Wood dust or metal nickel inhalation
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis
Early detection of head and neck cancers are very important for the best possible outcome. If found early, many head and neck cancers are considered curable. Understanding the risks and symptoms of head and neck cancers can lead to an earlier diagnosis. Any problems you find in your mouth, throat, nose and lymph nodes in your neck should be discussed with your doctor promptly.
TREAT
Treatment
Treatments for head and neck cancers include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these treatments. Before deciding on the best treatment option, it is important to understand how that treatment option may affect the way the person eats, breathes, looks and/or talks. Many head and neck patients will require rehabilitation after treatment, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and/or reconstructive surgery.
SUPPORT
Cancer is a journey that no one needs to take alone. There are many forms of support to help you through every stage: diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Whether you meet with other cancer survivors like yourself, use complementary therapies or individual coping mechanisms, support is available. Listed below are just some of the ways to find help and hope.
Support Groups
Getting together with other cancer patients in a support group is a valuable coping tool. Support groups are usually focused on a single disease or topic, such as breast cancer survivors or people coping with life-changing side effects from their cancer or cancer therapy. These groups allow participants to meet others like themselves and seek strength from each other. Most major cities and cancer hospitals offer support groups that meet weekly or monthly. There are also dozens of online support Web sites or message boards for those who may not have access to a traditional meeting.
Complementary Therapies
Complementary therapies are used in conjunction with cancer treatment, in an effort to reduce treatment side effects, ease depression and anxiety and help cancer patients take their mind off the negative aspects of their situation. Complementary therapies may include mind-body exercises like yoga, Tai Chi and Qi gong; visualization or guided imagery; using art or music as therapy and self-expression and traditional Eastern medicine such as acupuncture.
Physical Activity
Staying physically active as much as possible during cancer treatment has many positive benefits. Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, a hormone that helps elevate mood, as well as decreasing feelings of fatigue.
Exercises for cancer patients can range from simple stretches done in the bed or chair, to more active pursuits such as walking or light gardening work. However, it’s important not to push yourself too hard. Check with your doctor before attempting any physical activity to make sure you are up to it.
Journaling/Blogging
Many people find it helpful to keep a journal of their cancer treatment experience. It may be as simple as recording symptoms and side effects into a notebook, or may include personal emotions and opinions about what they may be going through. Journals can be private, like a diary, or shared with loved ones and even strangers.
Increasingly, people are turning to the Internet to share their cancer journey with the world at large and to seek out others with similar experiences. Many cancer patients have begun their own Web log, or “blog” to publicize their battle with cancer. Twitter, a mini-blogging technology that limits posts to 140 characters, has also proven to be a helpful tool for cancer patients to keep friends updated and reach out to others.
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