Head and neck cancers
Overview
Head and neck cancers develop from tissues in the head and neck region. These include lips, mouth, throat, facial skin, salivary glands, among others. The most common types of head and neck cancers occur in the lip, mouth, and throat. All head and neck cancers combined, account for approximately 3-7% of all cancers in the western world. Globally, head and neck cancers account on average for 650,000 new diagnoses and 330,000 cancer related deaths each year. The main risk factors include smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol in excess. There is also a correlation between head and neck cancers, and HPV virus infections. Typically, people are diagnosed between the ages of 55 and 65.
Diagnosis
If you’re experiencing soreness in your face, oral cavities that do not heal, have trouble swallowing, or experience a change in your voice, your doctor will recommend further investigations to rule out cancer. In cases where the cancer has advanced, you may experience bleeding, pain, swelling, or visible lumps on the outside of your neck or oral cavity. If your medical team detects swelling or lumps during your physical examination, they will recommend collecting a biopsy for further analysis. This is the best way to confirm a diagnosis for head and neck cancers. This tissue sample undergoes further cellular and molecular examinations to detect cancer subtypes and to better guide your medical team when devising your treatment plan. Most head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas and, molecular examinations for head and neck cancers include the HPV virus or EBV virus infection status. To assess the potential spread of the cancer, your GMI medical team may recommend further imaging. The GMI offers the most advanced medical imaging techniques: multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), and positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET / CT). In some cases your medical team may recommend an ultrasound or a computed tomography (CT) scan.
Treatment
Like other types of cancer, treatment varies greatly depending on the type of head and neck cancer, the tumor size, location, and characteristics, as well as how the cancer has progressed. Every step in the diagnostic procedure helps the GMI team tailor each treatment plan to each patient, taking into consideration your individual case and personal preferences. To determine the best course of action each patient’s case is discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board where several experts from our team come together to create your comprehensive treatment plan. For cases where the cancer remains localized, and is at an early stage, a dedicated team of surgeons or radiation oncologists will eradicate the tumor using the most modern treatment options, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. For cases where the cancer is at a more advanced stage, our Medical Oncology team will propose the best treatment plan for each patient, which will include the newest regimen of systemic therapies like targeted therapy, chemotherapy and / or immunotherapy.
Why GMI
At the GMI German Oncology Center, a dedicated team of internationally acclaimed physicians guides each head and neck cancer patient through their entire journey, from their diagnostic work-up to their treatment and post-treatment care.
The GMI team will never offer a simple “one size fits all” approach to any patient. We believe each patient’s case is as individual as they are and strive to find the best solution for each of our patients, taking their specific case and diagnosis, their lifestyle, and choices into account.
We believe each of our patients is more than their diagnosis. That’s why our dedicated paramedics team supports head and neck cancer patients on their journey by offering more than just expert medical care. We offer psychological help, integrative oncology services (including yoga classes, and acupuncture) and have a GMI Patient Advocacy Program.
Adhering to our passion for innovation, and desire to progress the medical field, the GMI German Oncology Center both initiates and participates in several clinical trials in which the most modern and advanced treatment concepts are tested.
