Recognize The Symptoms Of Head And Neck Cancer

The number of patients with head and neck cancer has increased worldwide in the past ten years. Head and neck cancer is now the fifth most common cancer in Europe. The disease is most common in men aged 40 and older. The average age at diagnosis is 62 years for men and 63 years for women. But in recent years a significant increase in the number of cases has been observed among younger people.

The term includes different types of cancer. They can be divided into two large groups. The first group includes the cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx, accounting for 90% of the cancers. The second group contains rare tumors in the nasal cavity, sinuses and salivary glands, accounting for 10% of cases. Throat cancer is most common, both in men (36%) and in women (35%).

What are the main causes?

• Smokers have a much higher risk of head and neck cancers than non-smokers, but in smokers who light their first cigarette just after waking, the risk is even greater than with other smokers.
• Also, men who have more than three glasses of alcohol drink per day is more likely, just like women who drink more than two glasses a day.
• HPV virus (human papillomavirus): the increase in the number of head and neck cancers in adolescents in recent years is largely attributed to infection with the HPV virus by oral sex. That was recently confirmed by a major investigation of the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

According to that study, the number of head and neck cancers in people younger than 45 years rose by 60% between 1973 and 2009. This increase is mainly explained by infection with the HPV virus (which also causes cervical cancer).

How to recognize head and neck cancer?
Head and neck cancer can be treated effectively if it is diagnosed early. That is why it is important that people know what the symptoms of this disease are.

If you suffer from one of the following symptoms during three weeks, you should contact your doctor for further examination:

• Painful/tender tongue, non-healing mouth ulcer, and/or red or white mucous membrane abnormalities in the mouth;
• A sore throat, pain and/or difficulty in swallowing, persistent hoarseness;
• Swelling or lump in the neck, one-sided blocked nose and/or bloody discharge from the nose.

*Image source : Cancer Treatment Centers of America

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