Head and Neck Cancer | oncology buddies your guide to cancer care

Head and Neck Cancer Head and neck cancer – Frequently asked questions

Mar 24, 2022 Word for Word Media

Cancer Heroes, a support group for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and their families, inform us of the common questions that are asked by patients. What is HNC? HNC is a grouping of regional cancer incidents collectively known as head and neck cancer. They most commonly start with abnormal and uncontrolled growth of the squamous cells that line the mucosal surfaces of the head and neck area, like your mouth, throat, and voice box. They can also start in the salivary or parotid glands, sinus cavities, muscles, nerves and jaws in the head and neck region. It’s interesting that brain cancer isn’t regarded…

Head and Neck Cancer Swallowing in head and neck cancer

Mar 29, 2021 Word for Word Media

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Dr Mark Torres-Holmes expands on swallowing difficulties in head and neck cancer and when the use of feeding tubes is required. Swallowing (deglutition) is a complex sequence of events, that when it goes wrong can cause significant morbidity (suffering). Cancer in sites like the mouth, pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box) can result in difficulty swallowing. The treatments for head and neck cancer often involve surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, or combinations thereof, and any of these treatments can also cause difficulty swallowing. Swallowing basics Swallowing is divided into four stages: oral preparatory, oral transfer, pharyngeal and oesophageal phases that…

Head and Neck Cancer The bunkers of head and neck cancer

Mar 29, 2021 Word for Word Media

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Professional golfer, Robert Tilbury, shares the many battles and ongoing victories head and neck cancer brought him. Robert Tilbury (52) lives in Kempton Park, Gauteng. He has two daughters, Melissa and Dominique, and a grandson, Milan. Diagnosis In 2014, a lump starting to form under Rob’s jawline. After a doctor’s visit, he was put on antibiotics as the GP thought it could be glandular fever. However, the lump was still there and had gotten bigger after the course was completed. This is when Rob opted to go for a biopsy. “In November 2014, the biopsy diagnosed metastasised Stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the…

Head and Neck Cancer Andrew Hunter – I still have a voice

Mar 20, 2020 Word for Word Media

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Andrew Hunter tells us about life after a laryngectomy: how he learnt to communicate with a tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis and recently via oesophageal speech. Andrew Hunter (59) lives in Soweto, Gauteng. He is divorced and has two adult children. Diagnosis In 2012, Andrew who had been smoking for over 20 years and drank occasionally on weekends, started to develop flu-like symptoms. His voice became croaky and deterioratedand his throat was dry and painful. He went to see a doctor who referred him to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. After numerous tests, including a biopsy, Andrew was diagnosed with cancer of the…

Head and Neck Cancer The role of the speech therapist in head and neck cancer

Mar 20, 2020 Word for Word Media

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Azra Hoosen educates us on how a speech therapist supports and empowers head and neck cancer patients with speech, voice, communication and swallowing difficulties. Many patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer may present with speech, communication, voice or swallowing difficulties which hugely impact activities of daily living and quality of life. A speech therapist is a health professional that is involved in the screening, assessment and ongoing management of individuals with the abovementioned difficulties. Assessment, treatment and beyond The speech therapist will assist with the following areas of assessment: Providing education and counselling regarding anticipated changes in communication and swallowing. Providing counselling prior to surgical procedures….

Head and Neck Cancer The laryngectomy surgical procedure

Mar 20, 2020 Word for Word Media

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Dr Chris Joseph, an ear, nose and throat surgeon, outlines what a laryngectomy surgical procedure entails, when it is needed and the effects of it. A total laryngectomy is the complete removal of the larynx. When a portion of the larynx is removed, it’s called a partial laryngectomy. The function of the larynx The larynx functions as a valve to prevent food and liquids from entering the trachea and lungs during swallowing. It’s also necessary for normal voice and speech as it houses the voice box. Its cartilaginous framework or “Adams Apple” can be seen and felt in the neck. When and why…

Head and Neck Cancer Radiotherapy for head and neck cancers

Nov 27, 2019 Word for Word Media

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Dr Mariza Tunmer informs us about the common side effects experienced by patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. One of the treatment modalities that may be used to treat head and neck cancers is radiotherapy. For patients requiring a long course of radiotherapy, usually over six to seven weeks, often chemotherapy is combined with radiotherapy. The chemotherapy may be given once a week or every three weeks, depending on the chosen dosing-schedule. Radiotherapy and the combination of chemotherapy with radiotherapy may result in significant side effects and it’s important to know what to expect before starting treatment. Early or acute…

Head and Neck Cancer Laryngeal cancer

Dec 3, 2018 Word for Word Media

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Dr Johann Kluge educates us on laryngeal cancer. Laryngeal cancer is a type of throat cancer that affects your larynx (voice box). The larynx contains cartilage and muscles that enable you to talk and prevents food from entering the lungs. This type of cancer can damage your voice. The most common type of larynx cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and entails 85-95% of all malignant lesions. The larynx is divided in three parts (see below): Larynx Anatomical Description Incidence Supraglottis Above the vocal cords 35% Glottis The level of the vocal cords 60% Subglottis Below the vocal cords…

Head and Neck Cancer Salivary gland tumours

Jul 27, 2018 Word for Word Media

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We learn about the different types of salivary gland tumours, both benign and malignant. Salivary gland tumours are rare cancers in the head and neck region. They can develop in any of the different sub-regions of the head and neck, with the most frequent (80-85%) encountered in the parotid. The parotids are the largest of the salivary glands, located just in front and below the ears. Parotid gland tumours are often benign (non-cancerous) (75%). Tumours arising from the submandibular gland, sublingual gland, or the minor salivary glands are usually more likely to be malignant (cancerous). The most common…

Head and Neck Cancer Mouth cancer

Jun 1, 2018 Word for Word Media

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Dr Johann Kluge explains the causes, symptoms and treatment of mouth cancer. Mouth (oral cavity) cancer is a subdivision in the head and neck region. The mouth is confined by the anatomical borders that stretch from the lips (anteriorly) to include the tongue, floor of the mouth, cheeks, hard palate and gums (or gingiva). What is the incidence of mouth cancer? It’s the 11th most common malignancy. More than 90% of cancerous growths in the mouth are squamous cell carcinomas, with the remainder being rarer tumours or tumours developing from the small salivary glands. Current oral cancer statistics (US data): Overall…

Head and Neck Cancer Free oral, head and neck cancer screenings

Mar 26, 2018 Laurelle Williams

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Considering the 20th annual Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (OHANCAW), held during 8-15 April, Life Groenkloof Hospital Medical Centre: Suite 110 Groenkloof 0181 will be offering free cancer screenings from 8:00 to 18:00 on 11 April 2018. In 2018, it is estimated that there will be more than 120,000 new cases of oral, head and neck cancer diagnosed, and unfortunately, many individuals will not be aware of the cancer until it has reached an advanced stage. Oral, head and neck cancers now ranked in the top six cancers worldwide. The US Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA), along…

Head and Neck Cancer Head and neck cancers – why are they more common and deadlier than you realise?

Sep 28, 2017 Word for Word Media

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Many specialists and cancer advocates are sounding the alarm over a rise in head and neck cancers, such as cancers of the throat or oropharynx, transmitted by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that is possibly linked to oral sexual habits. Are you at risk? Lack of awareness These symptoms (in red block below) are some of the early warning signs of head and neck cancers, including cancers of the mouth, lips, throat, larynx (voice box), nose, and salivary glands. Professor Jos Hille, an oral, head and neck pathologist at the National Health Laboratory Service (Tygerberg) and honorary secretary of the…