Head and Neck Cancers We Treat

Learn more about head and neck cancers and how they are treated.

Overview

Head and neck cancers are cancers that start in areas of the mouth (such as the lips, gums, tongue and roof of the mouth), the pharynx (throat), voice box (larynx), nose and sinuses, saliva glands, skin and thyroid gland.

We treat a wide range of head and neck cancers, including:

Hypopharyngeal (lower throat) cancer
Oropharyngeal (mid throat) cancer
Laryngeal (voice box) cancer
Lip and oral cavity cancer
Nasopharyngeal (upper throat) cancer
Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer
Salivary gland cancer
Squamous cell neck cancer
Soft tissue sarcoma
Thyroid cancer

Our care

Learn more about the specialized care provided at Mount Sinai Hospital for head and neck cancers.

This content is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used or relied upon for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. It does not replace the need for consultation with a health-care professional. Please speak with your health-care professional for questions about your health.

Types

Types of head and neck cancers

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer in the mouth, throat, voice box and sinuses. This cancer commonly grows in the area where it started and can grow into nearby areas, including the jaw bones, eye and brain.

These types of cancers can spread to one or both sides of the neck, as well as to the lungs and other parts of the body. Squamous cell cancers can show up as a lump or mass in the neck and your doctor will search for where it started (often from the mouth or throat) by using imaging tests and biopsies.

Adenocarcinoma and other forms of salivary gland cancers

Adenocarcinomas are cancers that start in the glands that line your organs. They can show up in different parts of your body, including the glands that make saliva.

There are a large variety of other types of cancers that involve the head and neck, including adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma and others.

Thyroid cancer

The most common type of thyroid cancer is papillary thyroid cancer. Most papillary thyroid cancers respond well to treatment. We also treat follicular, medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Skin cancer

We treat skin cancers in the sun-exposed areas of the head and neck. The most common skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. We also treat some other rarer forms of skin cancer.

Sarcoma

Sarcomas can start in the bone or soft tissues like blood vessels or fat. We treat sarcomas that occur in the head and neck area.

Lymphoma

Lymphomas can sometimes show up as a mass in the neck or lump in other parts of the head and neck region. They require a biopsy to determine the type of lymphoma and best treatment options.

Symptoms

Symptoms of head and neck cancers include any of the following:

A mass or swelling in the face or neck
A painful area in the mouth or throat
Changes in voice
Ear pain
Difficulty swallowing (which can lead to weight loss)

Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have cancer, as they can also be symptoms of other conditions.

If you have symptoms of head and neck cancer, there are several tests used to make a diagnosis.

Diagnosis

Head and neck examination

A physician will carefully examine your mouth, throat, voice box, nose, ears and neck regions. This often includes the use of specialized equipment called a fibre optic telescope. The fibre optic telescope is passed through the nose into the throat and voice box area. This helps the physician look closely at these areas.

Ultrasound

Ultrasounds are available in our clinics to evaluate head and neck masses. They are also used to perform ultrasound-guided needle biopsies as necessary.

Computed tomography (CT) scans

CT scans takes detailed pictures of the inside of the body using X-rays from different angles. They are used to assess the head and neck area and the lungs of many head and neck cancer patients. Other areas of the body may also require CT imaging depending on the circumstance.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

MRIs are sometimes needed to see more details, especially for cancers that involve the base of the tongue, some parts of the throat or the sinuses, and for cancers that are close the eye or brain.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure that takes a sample of tissue from the body to be examined in a laboratory. If there are signs of cancer, a biopsy is often needed to make a definite
diagnosis.

If the area is easily visible and accessible, a biopsy can often be performed using local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance in our otolaryngology office during your first visit. If the area to be biopsied is more difficult to reach, you might need to undergo general anesthesia.

Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with head and neck cancer, your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you. We will help you weigh the benefits of each treatment option against the possible risks and side effects.

The treatment options for head and neck cancer depend on the type of cancer you have and the stage of your disease.

The most common treatment for head and neck cancers is surgery. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapy may also be recommended.

Surgery

Surgery is the primary treatment for many forms of head and neck cancer, including mouth cancers, some throat or voice box cancers, and most thyroid and skin cancers. In some cases, a physician may recommend radiation or a combination of radiation and chemotherapy before you have surgery.

The complexity of the surgery varies greatly depending on the location and size of the tumour. Our highly specialized surgeons, nurses and interprofessional care team work together to achieve the best results possible.

Note that there are other types of cancers, such as nasopharyngeal cancer, that are treated primarily with radiation or a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. For these cancers, surgery might also be recommended if the cancer does not respond to the treatment or if it returns.

Radiation therapy

Patients who have advanced cancers of the head and neck often need radiation therapy as part of their treatment. You may receive radiation therapy before or after surgery. The surgeons at Sinai Health work closely with radiation oncologists to plan and optimize your treatment.

Medical oncology

Medical oncology focuses on treating cancer with medications that affect the whole body, such as chemotherapy.

If you receive chemotherapy for head and neck cancers, it is often used in combination with radiation therapy. Drugs to boost the immune system (immunotherapy) are not currently mainstream therapies for head neck cancer.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy uses medication that targets the proteins and genes that cause cancer to grow. The aim of targeted therapy is to block the growth and spread of cancer cells and limit damage to healthy cells. In some cases, targeted therapy may be given alone or in combination with chemotherapy.

The treatment for some thyroid cancers is radioactive iodine along with thyroid hormone suppression therapy.