A head and neck tumor is a malignant, that is, a malignant disease of the mouth, nose or throat. The typical symptoms are difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or even a foreign body sensation, which is most common with a tumor in the oral cavity.
What is a head and neck tumor?
One differentiates here still between many different tumors, which can develop in the head or neck area. It depends on the tissue in which the head and neck tumor first appears. A carcinoma originally develops on the mucous membrane, which is also the most common form of a head and neck tumor. There are also the lymphomas from the lymphatic tissue and the sarcomas, which form in the connective tissue. The tumors can affect the entire mouth, throat, larynx, as well as the nose and sinuses. According to statistics, a head and neck tumor occurs in about 11,000 people in Germany every year; men are affected more often than women. A head and neck tumor usually occurs after the age of 60, but younger sufferers are increasingly common.
Causes
There can be various causes for a head and neck tumor, but the excessive consumption of tobacco and alcohol over many years is usually associated with it. Those who additionally do not practice sufficient oral hygiene can additionally increase the risk. In non-smokers, for example, laryngeal cancer occurs much less frequently than in smokers. Chewing tobacco, on the other hand, increases the risk of a head and neck tumor in the oral mucosa. A tumor on the lip or tongue often affects pipe smokers. In addition, this form of cancer is related to hereditary factors, as with all other forms of cancer.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Depending on which tissue structure is affected by the cancer, a head and neck tumor can cause different symptoms. Head and neck tumors in the mouth often cause swelling, discoloration, and ulceration of the oral mucosa. A characteristic sign of oral cavity cancer is an increasing foreign body sensation, often associated with burning and itching. As the growth grows, it can also reduce the mobility of the tongue and cause difficulty swallowing. In salivary gland tumors, the mucosa swells and severe pain occurs. Throat cancer also causes difficulty swallowing. Possible accompanying symptoms of a tumor in the throat include hoarseness and problems with eating. In addition to hoarseness and sore throat, a tumor in the larynx can cause an uncomfortable scratching sensation in the throat. Many sufferers also experience a strong foreign body sensation and have to cough constantly. Furthermore, breathing difficulties occur. If a head and neck tumor has already affected the lymph nodes, further symptoms may occur. In addition to the metastases themselves, which appear as coarse, little painful swellings, a general feeling of malaise occurs. The symptoms and complaints that a head and neck tumor can cause thus vary greatly. What the various forms have in common is that they make it difficult to eat and are susceptible to inflammation and ulceration due to their location. The tumor itself increases in size as it progresses and metastasizes to various parts of the body.
Diagnosis and progression
The first step in diagnosis consists of a thorough questioning of symptoms and a physical examination. In many affected individuals, a head and neck tumor is already visible in this way; in others, an endoscopy with tissue sampling is required. The exact size of the tumor must then be determined, which is important for the subsequent treatment. In addition, it must be clarified whether the head and neck tumor has already spread to metastases (daughter tumors). An imaging procedure is also necessary, for example with the aid of a computer or magnetic resonance tomography. The further course of patients with a head and neck tumor depends above all on the time at which the diagnosis is made. The smaller the head and neck tumor still is, the more likely a complete cure is.
Complications
Head and neck tumor is a very serious disease. The patient’s quality of life is significantly reduced by this tumor and there are severe limitations in everyday life. As a rule, patients suffer from difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. There is also a foreign body sensation in the throat.Due to these complaints, patients not infrequently consciously consume less food and fluids, which usually leads to dehydration and deficiency symptoms or even underweight. Sore throats also continue to occur, and there may be severe swelling in the area of the head. Sufferers continue to feel listless and ill. The tumor can also spread to other areas of the body and destroy other healthy tissue as well. Treatment of the head and neck tumor usually involves surgery or radiation therapy. However, this does not always result in a positive course of the disease. In many cases, life expectancy is reduced and the patient dies. Furthermore, psychological treatment is often necessary. No further complications occur. The earlier the tumor is detected, the higher the probability of a complete recovery of the affected person.
When should one go to the doctor?
When pain and swelling around the mouth or other signs of serious disease are noticed, a visit to the doctor is recommended. A head and neck tumor usually manifests itself through clear symptoms. For example, discolorations or ulcers develop in the mouth area, which must be clarified. Any difficulty in swallowing, prolonged hoarseness and a scratchy throat are also warning signs. People who notice any of these signs of illness are best advised to talk to their family doctor. He or she can diagnose or rule out a head and neck tumor and initiate further treatment. People who maintain poor oral hygiene or already suffer from ulcers in the oral cavity are particularly susceptible to the development of a tumor. Therefore, patients with pre-existing conditions affecting the mouth, throat or lungs should see a doctor immediately if they experience any of the above symptoms. If there is an underlying head and neck tumor, a specialist must be consulted. Further contact points are the ENT physician, the dentist or an internist. Children should be presented to a pediatrician or the general practitioner if symptoms are mentioned.
Treatment and therapy
Therapy for patients with a head and neck tumor depends especially on the type of tumor and how far it has grown. The general state of health is also not unimportant. The treatment should not only fight the cancer, but also maintain the quality of life as best as possible. If the head and neck tumor is still small, the treatment (if possible) should consist only of surgery. Important here is the location and stage of the tumor. If the tumor has already spread, the neck lymph nodes are often removed as well. Various laser therapies for removing the tumor are now also available. Surgery can be followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. With these treatment methods, the various factors of the tumor are again decisive. Chemotherapy alone is suggested only in the case of distant metastases or a neoplasm from a head and neck tumor. Another or complementary form of therapy is immunotherapy, in which antibodies are used against the head and neck tumor. The antibodies block the binding sites for the growth factor on the malignant cells, which stimulates the growth of the cell. In addition, the antibodies ensure that radiotherapy or chemotherapy has a better response and therefore greater success.
Outlook and prognosis
There are no scientifically collected figures on how many people develop head and neck cancer. Experts estimate that 50 out of every 100,000 inhabitants suffer from such a disease. At the time of diagnosis, most of those affected are in the second half of life. Men are affected significantly more often than women. The chances of recovery depend greatly on the progress and extent of the disease. Age also plays a role, as does how well a patient responds to treatment. If a tumor is detected at an early stage, the chances of cure are comparatively good. Small tumors without metastases are more likely to be curable. The most common form of head and neck tumor is laryngeal cancer. Strikingly, it occurs almost without exception in smokers. Regular nicotine consumption can therefore be considered a risk factor. Therefore, if patients continue to smoke after successful treatment, the likelihood of recurrence increases significantly. Some patients have to expect permanent restrictions after therapy.This can lead to speech impediments. Breathing function is sometimes restricted. Both of these conditions mean that those affected can no longer perform their jobs. Food intake also sometimes causes difficulties.
Prevention
Head and neck cancer can best be prevented by avoiding at least the risk factors of smoking and frequent alcohol consumption. In addition, regular oral hygiene is important, not only for the prevention of a head and neck tumor. The fact that not smoking is an effective method of prevention is evident from the fact that cancer of the larynx occurs very rarely in non-smokers. However, those who nevertheless consume alcohol more often or are smokers should have regular check-ups with their ear, nose and throat doctor.
Follow-up care
In most cases, the measures of direct aftercare for a head and neck tumor are very limited. First and foremost, the disease must be detected at a very early stage to prevent further deterioration. Without treatment, this tumor usually leads to a significantly reduced life expectancy and thus to premature death of the affected person. Therefore, in the case of a head and neck tumor, the patient should contact a physician at the first symptoms. As a rule, those affected by this disease are dependent on the help and also the support of their own family and friends and acquaintances. Intensive and loving conversations with one’s own family are often necessary to prevent psychological upsets or depression. After removal of the tumors, regular examinations and checks by a doctor are still necessary in order to detect and treat new tumors at an early stage. After chemotherapy, the affected person should in any case rest and take care of his body. In doing so, efforts or stressful and physical activities should be refrained from in order not to put unnecessary strain on the body.
This is what you can do yourself
The options for self-help are relatively limited in the case of a head and neck tumor. They also depend greatly on the extent and exact location of the tumor. Swelling around the neck and head can be relieved with cold applications. The difficulty in swallowing can be limited in some cases with the help of medication. If the affected person is prevented from taking food and liquids on his or her own due to these complaints, help and care from parents or relatives is very helpful in this regard. Good oral hygiene can also have a positive effect on these complaints. Frequent brushing of the teeth and the use of a mouth rinse can in some cases prevent the disease. Furthermore, the person affected should refrain from consuming alcohol and cigarettes so as not to aggravate the symptoms. Since cancer usually also leads to psychological complaints, conversations with close friends and acquaintances are often very helpful in avoiding depression. Communication with other affected persons can also have a positive effect on the course of the disease and is highly recommended.
