Head & neck cancer care

Each year, about 110,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with head and neck cancer, a group of cancers that starts in or near your mouth, throat, larynx, nose or sinuses.

At Advocate Health Care, we’re committed to helping prevent this disease and bring the latest, most effective treatments to the northern Illinois communities we serve. Our team includes board-certified ENTs, medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, specialized nurses and other experts. Together, we provide care for the whole you, so you can focus on getting well.

Find an Advocate Cancer Institute near you.

About head & neck cancer

Most head and neck cancers begin in the cells that line these surfaces of the areas. There are five main types of the disease, collectively called head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and named for the area they affect:

• Oral cavity: Lips, gums, inside lining of the cheeks and other areas inside of your mouth
• Pharynx (throat): Includes your tonsils, back of your tongue and your soft palate
• Larynx (voice box): Holds your vocal cords and your epiglottis, a flap of cartilage at the base of the tongue
• Nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses: Hollow area inside your nose and small spaces in the bones of your head around your nose
• Salivary glands: In the lower part of your mouth near your jawbone

Each of these types has its own set of cancer symptoms. Though head and neck cancers can affect anyone, major risk factors include heavy tobacco and alcohol use, as well as the human papilloma virus (HPV), a type of sexually transmitted infection.

Diagnosis & prevention

Prevention is your best protection against head and neck cancer. Quitting smoking, avoiding heavy alcohol use and making other healthy lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your risk of developing the disease.

In addition, getting yearly health exams is important to catching cancer early, when it’s most treatable. Advocate Health Care primary care physicians offer complete oral, head and neck screenings as part of your annual visit, and will work closely with you to create a prevention plan. If needed, we can also connect you directly to one of our board-certified ENTs or another a specialist and help coordinate all follow-up care.

Who should be screened

More people are being diagnosed with oral, head and neck cancers at a younger age than in the past, when most of these cancers were found in adults over age 50. Because these cancers now affect a more diverse group of people, virtually everyone should get screened. That includes:

• Anyone who has smoked or used other tobacco products, and those who regularly drink alcohol
• Anyone who’s sexually active, as HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection
• Anyone with a prior head and neck malignancy

What to expect

During your check-up, your doctor will look inside your mouth, nose and throat, and check for lumps in your neck. That’s especially important if you use tobacco or have in the past, or drink regularly.

If your physician finds anything suspicious, you may have a few additional tests. Common options include:

• Panendoscopy: A complete exam done in the operating room under anesthesia. The surgeon looks inside your nose, mouth and throat through thin tubes called scopes and may perform biopsies of abnormal tissue.
• CT scan: A special kind of X-ray that takes detailed pictures to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, lungs or other organs.
• Barium swallow: X-rays are taken while you swallow a liquid with barium in it. Barium coats the inside surface of the throat and helps get a good picture to see how you swallow.
• MRI scan: MRIs use radio waves and strong magnets instead of x-rays to take detailed pictures. MRIs can be used to learn more about the size of the cancer and look for other tumors.
• Biopsy: A small piece of tissue is removed and checked for cancer cells.
• Blood tests

Treatments & therapies

If you’re diagnosed with head or neck cancer, rest assured you have some of the leading experts by your side. Our multi-skilled team will work closely with you to create a personalized cancer treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcome.