What is the head and neck cancer?

Head & Neck cancer includes cancer of the nose, mouth, sinuses, throat, salivary glands, and lymph nodes in the neck. Most begin in the moist tissues that line the mouth, nose and throat. The main causes of head and neck cancers include tobacco (smoked or chewed), and alcohol.

“Head and neck cancer” is the term used to describe a number of different malignant tumors that develop in or around the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses, and mouth.

Most head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. This type of cancer begins in the flat squamous cells that make up the thin layer of tissue on the surface of the structures in the head and neck. Directly beneath this lining, which is called the epithelium, some areas of the head and neck have a layer of moist tissue, called the mucosa. If a cancer is only found in the squamous layer of cells, it is called carcinoma in situ. If the cancer has grown beyond this cell layer and moved into the deeper tissue, then it is called invasive squamous cell carcinoma. If doctors cannot identify where the cancer began, it is called a cancer of unknown primary. Read more about squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary in the head and neck.

If a head and neck cancer starts in the salivary glands (see below), the tumor will usually be classified as an adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, or mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Types of head and neck cancer

• There are 5 main types of head and neck cancer, each named according to the part of the body where they develop. For more information about a specific type, visit the guide dedicated to that type of head and neck cancer on this same website.
• Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. The larynx is commonly called the voice box. This tube-shaped organ in the neck is important for breathing, talking, and swallowing. It is located at the top of the windpipe, or trachea. The hypopharynx is also called the gullet. It is the lower part of the throat that surrounds the larynx. Read more about laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer.
• Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer. The nasal cavity is the space just behind the nose where air passes on its way to the throat. The paranasal sinuses are the air-filled areas that surround the nasal cavity. Read more about nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer.
• Nasopharyngeal cancer. The nasopharynx is the air passageway at the upper part of the throat behind the nose. Read more about nasopharyngeal cancer.
• Oral and oropharyngeal cancer. The oral cavity includes the mouth and tongue. The oropharynx includes the middle of the throat, from the tonsils to the tip of the voice box. Read more about oral and oropharyngeal cancer.
• Salivary gland cancer. The salivary gland produces saliva. Saliva is the fluid that is released into the mouth to keep it moist and that contains enzymes that begin breaking down food. Read more about salivary gland cancer.
• Other types of cancer can also be located in the head and neck region, but the diagnosis and treatment are much different. Specific information about brain tumors, esophageal cancer, eye cancer, parathyroid cancer, sarcoma, and thyroid cancer is available in other guides on Cancer.Net.

Treatments

• Commando Surgery
• Micro Vascular free flap Reconstruction(Advance Plastic Surgery)

Liver cancer

Liver cancer is cancer that begins in the cells of your liver. Your liver is a football-sized organ that sits in the upper right portion of your abdomen, beneath your diaphragm and above your stomach.

Several types of cancer can form in the liver. The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma, which begins in the main type of liver cell (hepatocyte). Other types of liver cancer, such as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatoblastoma, are much less common.

Cancer that spreads to the liver is more common than cancer that begins in the liver cells. Cancer that begins in another area of the body — such as the colon, lung or breast — and then spreads to the liver is called metastatic cancer rather than liver cancer. This type of cancer is named after the organ in which it began — such as metastatic colon cancer to describe cancer that begins in the colon and spreads to the liver.

Symptoms

The liverOpen pop-up dialog box

Most people don't have signs and symptoms in the early stages of primary liver cancer. When signs and symptoms do appear, they may include:

• Losing weight without trying
• Loss of appetite
• Upper abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• General weakness and fatigue
• Abdominal swelling
• Yellow discoloration of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
• White, chalky stools

Treatments

• Liver cancer levering construction meta status Tommy remove of liver tumor and cancer spread to liver

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts.

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it's far more common in women.

Substantial support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped created advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Breast cancer survival rates have increased, and the number of deaths associated with this disease is steadily declining, largely due to factors such as earlier detection, a new personalized approach to treatment and a better understanding of the disease.

Treatments

• Breast-Conserving Surgery with Breast Reconstruction and Modified Radical Mastectomy ( complete Breast Removal Chemotherapy ) Radiotherapy, Hormone Therapy

Esophagus Cancer

Esophagus is the food pipe which serves the purpose of carrying food from mouth to stomach and its cancer is 6th most common cancer worldwide. Usually occurs in elderly patients. Symptoms often include difficulty in swallowing (dysphasia) and weight loss. Other symptoms may include pain when swallowing (retro sternal pain), a hoarse voice, enlarged lymph nodes (glands) around the collarbone, a dry cough, and possibly coughing up or vomiting blood.

The most common causes are: tobacco, alcohol, very hot drinks, poor nutrition and hyperacidity (acid reflux). The disease is diagnosed by biopsy done by an endoscope (a fiber optic camera). However CECT chest and abdomen is important to plan the treatment. Treatment is based on the cancer's stage and location, together with the person's general condition and individual preferences. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment in patients with operable disease. Small localized squamous-cell cancers may be treated with surgery alone with the hope of a cure. In most other cases, chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy is used along with surgery. Larger tumors may have their growth slowed with chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by surgery. Usually surgical procedure needs complete removal of esophagus along with all nodes related to disease and replacement of esophagus by stomach In the presence of extensive disease or if the affected person is not fit enough to undergo surgery, palliative care is often recommend.

Treatments

• Esophageal cancer can also be done by laparoscopically

Lung Cancer

Your lungs are 2 sponge-like organs in your chest. Your right lung has 3 sections, called lobes. Your left lung has 2 lobes. The left lung is smaller because the heart takes up more room on that side of the body.

When you breathe in, air enters through your mouth or nose and goes into your lungs through the trachea (windpipe). The trachea divides into tubes called bronchi, which enter the lungs and divide into smaller bronchi. These divide to form smaller branches called bronchioles. At the end of the bronchioles are tiny air sacs known as alveoli.

The alveoli absorb oxygen into your blood from the inhaled air and remove carbon dioxide from the blood when you exhale. Taking in oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide are your lungs’ main functions.

Lung cancers typically start in the cells lining the bronchi and parts of the lung such as the bronchioles or alveoli.

Types of lung cancer

There are 2 main types of lung cancer and they are treated very differently.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

About 80% to 85% of lung cancers are NSCLC. The main subtypes of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. These subtypes, which start from different types of lung cells are grouped together as NSCLC because their treatment and prognoses (outlook) are often similar.

Adenocarcinoma: Adenocarcinomas start in the cells that would normally secrete substances such as mucus.

This type of lung cancer occurs mainly in current or former smokers, but it is also the most common type of lung cancer seen in non-smokers. It is more common in women than in men, and it is more likely to occur in younger people than other types of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma is usually found in the outer parts of the lung and is more likely to be found before it has spread.

People with a type of adenocarcinoma called adenocarcinoma in situ (previously called bronchioloalveolar carcinoma) tend to have a better outlook than those with other types of lung cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinomas start in squamous cells, which are flat cells that line the inside of the airways in the lungs. They are often linked to a history of smoking and tend to be found in the central part of the lungs, near a main airway (bronchus).

Large cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma: Large cell carcinoma can appear in any part of the lung. It tends to grow and spread quickly, which can make it harder to treat. A subtype of large cell carcinoma, known as large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, is a fast-growing cancer that is very similar to small cell lung cancer.

Other subtypes: A few other subtypes of NSCLC, such as adenosquamous carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma, are much less common.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

About 10% to 15% of all lung cancers are SCLC and it is sometimes called oat cell cancer.

This type of lung cancer tends to grow and spread faster than NSCLC. About 70% of people with SCLC will have cancer that has already spread at the time they are diagnosed. Since this cancer grows quickly, it tends to respond well to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Unfortunately, for most people, the cancer will return at some point.

Treatments

• Lung cancer involve removal of part of lung or hole of lung . Metastasectomy to lung can be removed by surgery this can be done by laparoscopically

Intestinal Cancer

Intestinal cancer occurs when cancerous cells form in the small intestine (or small bowel). When cancer develops in the large intestine (also called the large bowel or colon), it is called colorectal cancer. The small intestine connects the stomach to the large intestine. It is divided into three sections: the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Most types of small intestine cancer develop in the duodenum.

Intestinal cancer types

• As with most cancers, intestinal cancer develops when defective or mutated cells grow out of control and form a tumor. Intestinal cancer, also called small intestine cancer or small bowel cancer, usually starts in the lining of the small intestine and may spread to other parts of the body. Most cases of intestinal cancer develop in the duodenum, or upper part of the organ.

The main types of small intestine cancer include:

• Adenocarcinomas, the most common type of small intestine cancer, usually develop in the cells that line the walls of the small intestine. Often, this type of cancer will develop out of small benign (noncancerous) growths called polyps.
• Sarcoma is a type of intestinal cancer that develops in the connective tissue of the small intestine.
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are variants of soft tissue sarcoma.
• Carcinoid tumors form in the lining of the intestines and are often are slow-growing.
• Lymphomas are an immune system disease that may originate in the intestines.

Treatments

• Intestinal Cancer treatment is many complete removal of Cancer by surgery this can be done by laparoscopically

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of your pancreas — an organ in your abdomen that lies behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas releases enzymes that aid digestion and produces hormones that help manage your blood sugar.

Several types of growths can occur in the pancreas, including cancerous and noncancerous tumors. The most common type of cancer that forms in the pancreas begins in the cells that line the ducts that carry digestive enzymes out of the pancreas (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma).

Pancreatic cancer is seldom detected at its early stages when it's most curable. This is because it often doesn't cause symptoms until after it has spread to other organs.

Pancreatic cancer treatment options are chosen based on the extent of the cancer. Options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of these.

Bile Duct Cancer

Bile duct cancer arises from the cells that line the bile ducts, the drainage system for bile that is produced by the liver. Bile ducts collect this bile, draining it into the gallbladder and finally into the small intestine where it aids in the digestion process. Bile duct cancer is also called cholangiocarcinoma.

Bile duct cancer is a rare form of cancer, with approximately 2,500 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. There are three general locations where this type of cancer may arise within the bile drainage system:

Within the liver (intrahepatic) affecting the bile ducts located within the liver Just outside of the liver (extrahepatic or perihilar) located at the notch of the liver where the bile ducts exit Far outside of the liver (distal extrahepatic) near where the bile ducts enter the intestine (called the ampulla of Vater) Bile duct cancers are most commonly found just outside of the liver in the perihilar area and least commonly found within the liver.

stomach Cancer

Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer, and can spread to other areas of the body. To learn more about how cancers start and spread, see What Is Cancer?

Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, starts in the stomach. To understand stomach cancer, it helps to know about the normal structure and function of the stomach.

After food is chewed and swallowed, it enters the esophagus, a tube that carries food through the throat and chest to the stomach. The esophagus joins the stomach at the gastroesophageal (GE) junction, which is just beneath the diaphragm (the thin sheet of breathing muscle under the lungs). The stomach is a sac-like organ that holds food and starts to digest it by secreting gastric juice. The food and gastric juice are mixed and then emptied into the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum.

Some people use the word stomach to refer to the area of the body between the chest and the pelvic area. The medical term for this area is the abdomen. For instance, some people with pain in this area would say they have a "stomachache", when in fact the pain could be coming from the appendix, small intestine, colon (large intestine), or other organs in the area. Doctors would call this symptom abdominal pain, because the stomach is only one of many organs in the abdomen.

Stomach cancer should not be confused with other cancers that can occur in the abdomen, like cancer of the colon (large intestine), liver, pancreas, or small intestine because these cancers can have different symptoms, different outlooks, and different treatments.

Treatments

• Stomach cancer treatment is removal of stomach and part of stomach, Lymph nodes and also involve chemotherapy

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer -- also called renal cancer -- is a disease in which kidney cells become malignant (cancerous) and grow out of control, forming a tumor. Almost all kidney cancers first appear in the lining of tiny tubes (tubules) in the kidney. This type of kidney cancer is called renal cell carcinoma. The good news is that most of kidney cancers are found before they spread (metastasize) to distant organs. And cancers caught early are easier to treat successfully. However, these tumors can grow to be quite large before they are detected.

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They lie in your lower abdomen on each side of your spine. Their main job is to clean your blood, removing waste products and making urine.

Doctors don't know the causes of kidney cancer. But certain factors appear to increase the risk of getting kidney cancer. For example, kidney cancer occurs most often in people older than age 40. These are some other risk factors for kidney cancer:

• Smoking . If you smoke cigarettes, your risk for kidney cancer is twice that of nonsmokers. Smoking cigars may also increase your risk.
• Being male. Men are about twice as likely as women to get kidney cancer.
• Being obese. Extra weight may cause changes to hormones that increase your risk.
• Using certain pain medications for a long time. This includes over-the-counter drugs in addition to prescription drugs.
• Having advanced kidney disease or being on long-term dialysis, a treatment for people with kidneys that have stopped working
• Having certain genetic conditions, such as von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease or inherited papillary renal cell carcinoma
• Having a family history of kidney cancer. The risk is especially high in siblings.
• Being exposed to certain chemicals, such as asbestos, cadmium, benzene, organic solvents, or certain herbicides
• Having high blood pressure. Doctors don't know whether high blood pressure or medication used to treat it is the source of the increased risk.
• Being black. The risk in blacks is slightly higher than in whites. No one knows why.
• Having lymphoma. For an unknown reason, there is an increased risk of kidney cancer in patients with lymphoma.

Treatments

• Kidney cancer main treatment of renal cancer is partial Nephrectomy complete Nephrectomy by open surgery & laparoscopic surgery

Urinary Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer that begins in the cells of the bladder. The bladder is a hollow muscular organ in your lower abdomen that stores urine.

Bladder cancer most often begins in the cells (urothelial cells) that line the inside of your bladder. Urothelial cells are also found in your kidneys and the tubes (ureters) that connect the kidneys to the bladder. Urothelial cancer can happen in the kidneys and ureters, too, but it's much more common in the bladder.

Most bladder cancers are diagnosed at an early stage, when the cancer is highly treatable. But even early-stage bladder cancers can come back after successful treatment. For this reason, people with bladder cancer typically need follow-up tests for years after treatment to look for bladder cancer that recurs.

Gynaecological Cancer

Women and her daughtersThis section provides information for women, their partners and families about gynaecological cancers. What are gynaecological cancers? ‘Gynaecological cancer’ refers to the five cancers that start in a woman’s reproductive system - click on the links for information about each type of gynaecological cancer: Cervical cancer Ovarian cancer Vaginal cancer Vulval cancer Womb cancer (also known as endometrial or uterine cancer) Gynaecological cancer and the menopause Some women are affected by gynaecological cancers before the menopause. Menopause does not cause cancer, but your risk of developing cancer does increase as you get older. Coping with a cancer diagnosis Being diagnosed with cancer, and the treatment that follows, can be a very difficult thing to cope with. The support of family, friends, healthcare professionals and other people who have had a similar experience can be hugely helpful during this time. As well as information about diagnosis, treatment and management of gynaecological cancers, some of the organisations linked to in this section of the site include information about how you can access emotional support. Preventing gynaecological cancers Leading a healthy lifestyle can help to prevent cancers. During and after menopause is no different. The following measures will help you reduce your risk of cancer: Take part in the cervical and breast screening programmes provided by the NHS Exercise Eat a healthy diet Don’t smoke and avoid second-hand smoke Maintain a healthy body weight Cervical Cancer Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer. When exposed to HPV, the body's immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small percentage of people, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells. You can reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer by having screening tests and receiving a vaccine that protects against HPV infection. Treatments Gyno cancer ovarian cancer treatment is mainly surgery that is complete removal of uterus, ovaries lymph nodes and chemotherapy Cervical cancer early treatment of Cervical cancer is Hysterectomy that is complete removal of ovary, uterus, lymphnodes and Radiotherapy Uterus-Cancer The uterus is a hollow organ in females located in the pelvis, commonly called the womb. The uterus functions to support fetal development until birth. The uterus is shaped like an upside-down pear; the top is the fundus, the middle is the corpus, and bottom is the cervix; the inner layer of the uterus is the endometrium, and the outer layer is muscle (myometrium). Uterine cancer is the abnormal (malignant) growth of any cells that comprise uterine tissue. The buildup of cancer cells may form a mass (malignant tumor). Non-cancer cells that form a mass are termed benign tumors. Although the exact causes of uterine cancers are not known, risk factors include women with endometrial overgrowth (hyperplasia), obesity, women who have never had children, menses beginning before age 12, menopause after age 55, estrogen therapy, taking tamoxifen, radiation to the pelvis, family history of uterine cancer, and Lynch syndrome (most commonly seen as a form of inherited colorectal cancer). Common signs and symptoms of uterine cancer are abnormal vaginal bleeding (most common symptom), vaginal discharge, pain with urination and/or sex, and pelvic pains. Uterine cancer is diagnosed usually with a pelvic exam, Pap test, ultrasound, and biopsy. Occasionally, CT or MRI may be done to help confirm the diagnosis. Ovarian Cancer Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. The female reproductive system contains two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries — each about the size of an almond — produce eggs (ova) as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen. At this late stage, ovarian cancer is more difficult to treat. Early-stage ovarian cancer, in which the disease is confined to the ovary, is more likely to be treated successfully. Surgery and chemotherapy are generally used to treat ovarian cancer. Symptoms Female reproductive organs Female reproductive systemOpen pop-up dialog box Early-stage ovarian cancer rarely causes any symptoms. Advanced-stage ovarian cancer may cause few and nonspecific symptoms that are often mistaken for more common benign conditions. Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include: Abdominal bloating or swelling Quickly feeling full when eating Weight loss Discomfort in the pelvis area Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation A frequent need to urinate Types of surgery Total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy Most women with ovarian cancer will have an operation to remove the uterus and cervix, along with both fallopian tubes and ovaries. Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy If the cancer is found early and it is only in one ovary, some young women who still wish to have children may have only one ovary and fallopian tube removed. Omentectomy The omentum is a sheet of fatty tissue attached to the stomach and bowel. It hangs down in front of the intestines. Ovarian cancer often spreads to the omentum and it may need to be removed. Lymphadenectomy The pelvis contains large groups of lymph nodes. Cancer cells can spread from your ovaries to nearby lymph nodes. Your doctor may suggest removing some in a lymphadenectomy (also called lymph node dissection). Colectomy If cancer spreads to the bowel, some of the bowel may be removed. A new opening called a stoma may be created (colostomy or ileostomy). This is usually temporary. Removal of other organs Ovarian cancer can spread to many organs in the abdomen. In some cases, parts of the liver, diaphragm, bladder and spleen may be removed if it is safe to do. Surgery for ovarian cancer is complex. To ensure the best result, it is recommended that you are treated by a gynaecological oncologist at a specialist centre for gynaecological cancer. Call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for information about specialist centres in your area or see Understanding Surgery. All tissue and fluids removed during surgery are examined for cancer cells by a pathologist. The results will help confirm the type of ovarian cancer you have, if it has spread (metastasised), and its stage. It may not be possible to remove all the cancerous tissue. Surgery is often followed by chemotherapy, which will shrink or destroy any remaining cancer cells.

Bone and Soft Tissue Cancer

cancer starts when cells start to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer and can spread to other areas. To learn more about how cancers start and spread, see What Is Cancer?

There are many types of soft tissue tumors, and not all of them are cancerous. Many benign tumors are found in soft tissues. The word benign means they're not cancer. These tumors can't spread to other parts of the body. Some soft tissue tumors behave in ways between a cancer and a non-cancer. These are called intermediate soft tissue tumors.

When the word sarcoma is part of the name of a disease, it means the tumor is malignant (cancer). A sarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in tissues like bone or muscle. Bone and soft tissue sarcomas are the main types of sarcoma. Soft tissue sarcomas can develop in soft tissues like fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissues, blood vessels, or deep skin tissues. They can be found in any part of the body. Most of them start in the arms or legs. They can also be found in the trunk, head and neck area, internal organs, and the area in back of the abdominal (belly) cavity (known as the retroperitoneum). Sarcomas are not common tumors.

Sarcomas that most often start in bones, such as osteosarcomas, and sarcomas that are most often seen in children, such as the Ewing Family of Tumors and Rhabdomyosarcoma, are not covered here.