Head & Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancers affect the tongue, voice box, jaw and thyroid. Just like other cancers we treat, the multidisciplinary team at Goshen Center for Cancer Care takes an integrative approach to treating head and neck cancer.

We combine expertise from different areas to care for all of you, not just your cancer. Our providers blend the latest research, naturopathic medicine and traditional cancer treatment to give you the best shot at beating the disease.

Types of head and neck cancers

Most head and neck cancers begin in the mucous membranes, which is the moist lining of the nose, throat and mouth.

Head and neck cancers include:

• Tongue cancer
• Sinus cancer
• Jaw cancer
• Lip cancer
• Throat cancer
• Salivary gland cancer
• Paranasal sinus cancer
• Parathyroid cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Tonsillar cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Oral cancer

Head and neck cancer symptoms to know

Symptoms largely depend on the cancer's location but generally include:

• Voice changes or persistent hoarseness
• Blocked sinuses
• Frequent sinus infections that don't respond to treatment
• Difficulty or pain with swallowing or speaking
• Frequent headaches or pain in the upper teeth
• Lump or sore that doesn't heal
• Persistent sore throat

These symptoms can mimic other conditions, so have your provider assess them for a prompt diagnosis.

Tobacco use is responsible for the majority of cancers affecting the head and neck.

Some other risk factors for head and neck cancer include:

• Poor oral hygiene and nutrition
• Heavy alcohol use
• Infection with HPV or Epstein-Barr virus
• Prolonged sun exposure
• Weakened immune system
• Marijuana use

Protecting yourself from the sun, practicing good oral hygiene and getting help with quitting smoking are just a few ways you can control your risk factors.

Our approach

At Goshen Center for Cancer Care, we often combine treatments to aggressively treat the disease. We treat each case of head and neck cancer uniquely, but the most standard, effective treatments include:

● Surgery to remove the tumor

● Radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells

● Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing

● Targeted therapy to target specific markers on cancer cells