“Head and neck cancer” is the term used to describe a group of different types of tumors in or around the area of the throat, sinuses, mouth, nose, and larynx. If someone is diagnosed with cancer found in the squamous layer of cells, it is called carcinoma in situ. If cancer grows out of this layer and moves into deeper tissues, it is called invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
Vedant Hospital Thane possesses expertise in a wide range of cancers and their diagnosis. With the help of AI-powered technology that helps to get real-time benefits, the staff, nurses, or doctors are able to detect the primary cause of oncology. The staff of the hospital possess expertise in the field of medical science. The hospital caters only to good health and lets you have a peaceful and favorable environment for stable health.
What Are The Risk Factors Of Head & Neck Cancer?
There are majorly two substances that increase the risk factor of developing head & neck cancer. These are:
- Tobacco Use
If a person is habitual of smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other chewing tobacco; it is one of the largest risk factors for head & neck cancer. It has been shown that around 70-80 percent of people suffer because of head & neck cancer. The main cause behind this percentage is the use of tobacco. The amount of tobacco can have adverse effects on mental health, oral health, and the development of cancer. In addition, if you are a second-hand smoker, it may also increase the risk factor of head & neck cancer.
- Alcohol Use
Frequent and heavy alcohol consumption is also the cause of head & neck cancer. It can lead to the development of the cancer type in the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus.
Other factors that can raise the risk of developing head and neck cancer include:
- Exposure to Sun: This is especially linked to cancer of the skin, lip, and other outer areas. This affects the skin type and lets the skin burn with sunlight.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV): It has been researched that infection with HPV can increase the risk. Having sexual activity with an HPV person also increases the risk factor of head & neck cancer. There are majorly different types of HPV strain.
- Gender: Habitual activities of men like smoking, Tobacco use, drinking, and taking drugs or their medical health often causes them to be prone to cancer. Men are more likely to develop head & neck cancer around 2-3 percent more than women.
- Age: People over the age of 40 are at higher risk of head & neck cancer.
- Dental hygiene: Tobacco users have generally poor oral health. This is likely to develop head and lung cancer in them. This type of cancer generally develops into teeth and spreads further.
- Environmental inhalants: Wood dust, paint fumes, and certain chemicals may increase a person’s risk of head & neck cancer.
- Marijuana: Although marijuana is known to have medical and health-related benefits, the excessive use of marijuana can increase the risk factor of head and neck cancer.
- Poor nutrition: Poor nutrition is another factor that leads to head & neck cancer.
- Weakened immune system: A weak immune system is more prone to complex and hard-to-treat diseases.
- Exposure to radiation: Exposure to radiation is likely to affect salivary glands and develop salivary cancer.
- Previous history of head and neck cancer: People who have at least one case of head & neck cancer are more likely to develop head & neck cancer in the future.
How The Diagnosis Of Head & Neck Cancer Is Done?
There are different tests available for diagnosing head and neck cancer. It is not necessary that doctors must use these methods to diagnose cancer and its types. Your doctor may look after these factors to proceed with the diagnosis:
- The type of cancer
- Your signs and symptoms
- Your age and general health
- The effect of past medical tests or treatments
To understand the symptoms or signs of head and neck cancer, your doctor may follow the following tests:
- Physical examination/blood and urine tests
- testing of the tumor
- Biopsy
- Endoscopy
- Panoramic radiograph
- Ultrasound
- X-ray/barium swallow
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- PET-CT scan
- Bone scan with radioactive tracers
- Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan
Your doctor may use different methods for diagnosing head & neck cancer. The tests can vary if cancer has spread to different body parts. There are a number of tests like imaging tests that can help to showcase the presence of cancer. Doctors may use different methods to follow the treatment or understand what works best.
