Oral, Head, Neck & Thyroid Cancers Information
Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer
Most types of head and neck cancer start in the cells lining the open cavities of the head and neck, such as the sinuses, nasal cavity, mouth, or throat. Other kinds of head and neck cancer can occur in the salivary glands. These glands produce the fluid, called “saliva” or spit, that keeps your mouth and throat moist.
Understanding Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, head and neck cancer accounts for nearly 3 to 5 percent of all cancer in the United States. These types of cancer are more common in men and in people older than age 50. Around 47,560 men and women in this country develop head and neck cancer every year. Tobacco and alcohol use are common risk factors for this cancer.
Most People Can Speak and Swallow After Combination Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer
Most people do not have ongoing speaking or swallowing difficulties following combined chemotherapy and radiation treatment for advanced head or neck cancer, but several factors may be associated with worse outcomes in these functions.
Pain, Dry Mouth Play Role in Sleep Quality of Head and Neck Cancer Patients
by Jeffrey Terrell, MD, and Sonia Duffy, PhD, RN
Head and neck cancer patients who reported poor sleep quality one year after diagnosis had more symptoms of chronic pain and complaints of dry mouth related to radiation treatments, according to a recent study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
September Activities Highlight Worldwide Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers continuing to increase in incidence, with an anticipated record of about 44,670 people newly diagnosed in the United States this year and more than 200,000 people expected to be newly diagnosed worldwide. It’s also a cancer that affects people of all ages, from young children to seniors. When detected early, most thyroid cancers are treatable. However, some thyroid cancers are aggressive and difficult to treat. These are some of the many reasons why ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. sponsors Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month each September.
Head and Neck Radiation Treatment and Your Mouth
While head and neck radiation helps treat cancer, it can also cause other things to happen in your mouth called side effects. Some of these problems could cause you to delay or stop treatment. This information will tell you ways to help prevent mouth problems so you’ll get the most from your cancer treatment. To help prevent serious problems, see a dentist at least 2 weeks before starting radiation.
General Information About Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a gland at the base of the throat near the trachea (windpipe). It is shaped like a butterfly, with a right lobe and a left lobe. The isthmus, a thin piece of tissue, connects the two lobes. A healthy thyroid is a little larger than a quarter. It usually cannot be felt through the skin.
Managing Speech and Swallowing Difficulties Resulting from Head and Neck Cancer
by Jan S. Lewin, PhD
Head and neck cancer often results in significant functional changes in speech, voice, and swallowing. These problems can occur as a result of the disease but also because of the treatment. It is important to have a thorough and realistic understanding of the functional effects of treatment because the restoration of communication and the ability to swallow may be critical to your treatment decision.
