April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a collective term for malignant neoplasms that occur in the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses, mouth, and salivary glands. The most common localization is the oral cavity and larynx. In a large percentage of cases, patients with head and neck tumors belong to the active and able-bodied part of the country's population – these are people whose average age is 50-60 years. Among men, there is a higher risk of developing NSCC – from 2 to 5 times higher than among women.

Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer. More than 24 thousand cases are detected annually. This type of cancer is also in the top 5 in terms of the number of deaths during the year from the moment of diagnosis. Despite the improvement of diagnostic methods, about 30% of patients learn about their diagnosis at stage IV.

World Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month is held annually in April. Increasing the level of knowledge about the disease plays an important role in timely diagnosis. According to experts, the diagnosis of head and neck cancer at the first stage can cure up to 90% of patients.

It is important to know that it is possible to reduce the risk of developing head and neck cancer if you try to exclude the influence of provoking factors:

– smoking and use of chewing, snuffing and other types of tobacco,

– abuse of strong alcohol,

– regular consumption of too hot food and unbalanced diet,

– poor oral hygiene

– work in hazardous conditions.

Additional risk factors include genetic predisposition, severe emotional upheavals, the influence of adverse environmental factors, as well as some diseases: chronic respiratory infections, Epstein-Barr virus, HIV infection. It is worth noting the special influence of the human papillomavirus (HPV) on the occurrence of a number of oncological diseases, timely vaccination significantly reduces the risk of infection, and hence the development of a malignant tumor.

The manifestations of head and neck cancer are varied: sore throat, voice change, the appearance of sores in the oral cavity, difficulty in nasal breathing and nosebleeds. Also there is a cough with blood in the sputum, shortness of breath, chest pain, hoarseness, weight loss by more than 10% over the past 6 months, swelling of the face. Similar symptoms can also occur with colds, but if they bother you for more than 3 weeks, you should consult your doctor.

If you have similar symptoms, you should contact a general practitioner and an otorhinolaryngologist, get a referral for a general and biochemical blood test, paying special attention to the number of lymphocytes, the level of total protein and albumin. The ENT doctor will conduct a detailed examination of the oral cavity, upper respiratory tract and upper digestive tract. To clarify the clinical picture, tissue samples are taken and examined for abnormalities, in particular, tumor cells. Additional tests that can determine the location and size of the tumor include imaging techniques such as ultrasound (ultrasound), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). When a tumor is detected, the doctor must also determine not only its localization, but also the histological variant of the tumor.

Treatment of patients with head and neck tumors requires a multidisciplinary approach. Surgeons-oncologists, radio- and chemotherapists take part in the choice of treatment tactics and its further implementation.

Depending on the course of the disease, the patient may be prescribed different types of treatment: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy (CT), or chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Anticancer drug therapy includes: classical chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

In recent years, immunotherapy has been actively developed – a treatment method based on the reactivation of a person's own immune system, aimed at combating malignant tumor cells. Immuno-oncological drugs are prescribed both as an independent method of treatment and as part of combination therapy.

To reduce the risk of head and neck tumors, you should stop smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, reduce the impact of other negative factors, be attentive to your health and regularly undergo preventive examinations.

Vaccination is effective against HPV types 16 and 18, which can cause oropharyngeal cancer and other squamous NCC. It is recommended to get vaccinated at the age of 11-26 years. After 26 years, it is worth discussing the possibility of vaccination with your doctor. To prevent lip cancer, use sunscreen with an SPF filter.