Early diagnosis, effective treatment, and the long-term outcome are three factors that affect every patient with Head And Neck Cancer in Bethlehem PA. An ENT specialist will often diagnose the condition and devise a treatment plan to aggressively attack the disease. Here is what everyone should know.
Know the Symptoms
Head and neck cancer signs are often common complaints. The problems could include a sore throat, earache, or hoarseness. People may feel as if they have a lump in their throat or find a lump on their neck or inside their mouth. Schedule an evaluation if any of these problems begin for no reason and do not go away after a couple of weeks.
Understand the Options
There are many types of head and neck cancer and the treatment method depends on the type of cancer, the stage of the disease and the overall health and age of the patient. Common types include oral cancer, throat cancer and cancers of the larynx, sinuses, and salivary glands. If the cancer is HPV-positive or HPV-negative also directs the treatment.
An ENT may suggest radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery. The patient may need a combination of these solutions if the cancer is advanced, aggressive or has spread. The doctor may recommend targeted therapy drugs if the disease is one that responds well to this type of treatment.
Know Survival Rates
Information after diagnosis helps people to understand how to increase their chance of surviving and to reduce the odds of a re-occurrence. Several factors affect the survival rate. Each type of cancer is unique and detection when the tumor is small boosts the potential for effective treatment. Some types of the disease have five-year survival rates of only 20-30 percent and others are as high as 90 percent.
Cancers of the head and neck are only about four percent of all the cancers diagnosed in the United States. Approximately 65,000 people receive the diagnosis each year. Men are twice as likely as women to experience this type of cancer. Inadequate nutrition, smoking, and poor oral care are some of the risk factors. Treatment for Head And Neck Cancer in Bethlehem PA requires detection first and that usually takes place at an ENT office. Visit for more information.
Follow us on Twitter for our latest updates!