Head and Neck Cancer Program
Conditions We Treat
We treat all types of head and neck cancers, including the below.
Adenocarcinoma
A cancer that starts from glandular cells in the lining of the nose and skull base. Adenocarcinomas also exhibit locally destructive growth patterns. Like other cancers, their level of destruction is related to microscopic signs of how aggressive and disarrayed they are. Treatment can vary, depending on the aggressiveness of the cancer.
Go to Detail PageAdenoid Cystic Carcinoma
A cancer which arises in glandular cells, this type of cancer can behave in unusual ways. It can spread from the sinuses and skull base and be locally aggressive like other cancer. It can also spread to lymph nodes, and can even “skip” to other places such as the lungs and bones of the body. Some people may have no symptoms of this cancer spreading beyond the sinuses and skull base, but it is important to consider these areas in the workup.
Go to Detail PageCheek Cancer
Oral cancer, specifically cheek cancer, can form in any part of the mouth. Most cheek cancers begin in the cells that cover the surfaces of the cheek. Tests to diagnose oral cancer include a physical exam, endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging tests.
Go to Detail PageEar/Temporal Bone Cancer
Cancers of the ear and temporal bone are rare. The most common type is basal skin carcinoma (a type of skin cancer), which causes a tumor on the outside of your ear. Squamous cell cancer, another type of skin cancer, is also common and starts deeper within your ear. Both types of cancer can grow further into your ear and bones if not treated.
Go to Detail PageEsthesioneuroblastoma
Although a less common cancer relative to others in this part of the body, esthesioneuroblastoma also has very peculiar patterns of growth and spread. It can have varying levels of aggressive behavior. By looking at cancer cells under a microscope physicians can predict how it will behave in some people. They are also locally aggressive, but can present in lymph nodes in the neck either at the first sign of symptoms, or years later. Treatment focuses on treating the areas where disease is found, and sometimes in areas where disease may occur later in life.
Go to Detail PageGum Cancer
Gum cancer is a type of oral cancer that grows on the surface of the gums. It is more common in men and people over age 40.
Go to Detail PageHead And Neck Cancer
There are many types of head and neck cancers, including cancers that occur in the mouth, those that affect the nasal passages and other area cancers, including thyroid and parathyroid cancers. Treatment depends on the type, location and size of the cancer. Each year, more than 55,000 Americans will develop head and neck cancer. Head and neck cancers are curable if caught early.
Go to Detail PageLaryngeal (Voice Box) Cancer
Laryngeal cancer is a type of throat cancer that develops in the voice box (larynx), which contains the vocal cords that vibrate to make sound when air is directed at them. Using tobacco products and drinking alcohol can raise the risk of laryngeal cancer.
Go to Detail PageLip Cancer
Oral cancer, specifically lip cancer, can form in any part of the mouth. Most oral cancers begin in the cells that cover the surfaces of the lips. Tests to diagnose oral cancer include a physical exam, endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging tests.
Go to Detail PageNasopharyngeal Cancer
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare type of throat cancer. It starts in the upper part of the throat behind your nose and just above the roof of your mouth (called the nasopharynx). Both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors can grow in your nasopharynx.
Go to Detail PageOral Cancer
A type of cancer in the category of head and neck cancer, oral cancer can occur on any part of the mouth including the lips, gums, tongue, inside cheek lining, or the roof or floor of the mouth.
Go to Detail PageOropharyngeal Cancer
Oropharyngeal cancer occurs in the tissue of the oropharynx, the middle part of the throat that includes the base of the tongue, the tonsils, the soft palate and the walls of the pharynx, which is the cavity behind the nose and the mouth.
Go to Detail PageParanasal Sinus Cancer
Cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is rare. Doctors diagnose nasal cancer with imaging tests, lighted tube-like instruments that look inside the nose, and biopsies. The paranasal sinuses are small hollow spaces around the nose. They are lined with cells that make mucus, keeping the nose from becoming dry.
Go to Detail PageParathyroid Cancer
Parathyroid cancer is a rare type of cancer that develops in one of your four parathyroid glands. These glands are in the base of your neck, on the thyroid gland. They make a type of hormone called parathyroid hormone, which controls the calcium in your body.
Go to Detail PageSalivary Gland Cancer
Salivary gland cancer is a rare type of head and neck cancer in the salivary glands which make saliva and then empty the saliva into openings in the mouth called ducts. Doctors diagnose salivary gland cancer using a physical exam, imaging tests, and a biopsy.
Go to Detail PageSkin Cancer
The skin is the largest organ in our body, and is made up of two major layers (epidermis and dermis), as well as various types of cells. The top (or outer) layer of the skin, the epidermis, is composed of three types of cells: flat, scaly cells on the surface called squamous cells; round cells called basal cells; and melanocytes, cells that provide skin its color and protect against skin damage. The inner layer of the skin, the dermis, is the layer that contains the nerves, blood vessels, and sweat glands. Skin cancer is a disease in which cancerous (malignant) cells are found in the outer layers of your skin.
Go to Detail PageSkull Base Cancer
The skull base is the part of your skull behind your eyes and nose, made up of five bones. Your brain rests on your skull base and your spinal cord, blood vessels, and nerves pass through it. Skull base tumors can grow inside the skull or outside the skull base. Cancerous skull base tumors are rare, but non-cancerous (benign) tumors can also grow in the skull base.
Go to Detail PageThroat/Pharynx Cancer
Your throat is a tube made of muscle that goes from behind your nose to your neck. Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. There are several different types of throat cancer, and each is named for the part of the throat where the cancer is. Throat cancer can develop in your oropharynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, or your larynx (voice box). In each type, cancer is most likely to begin in the cells that line the inside of your throat.
Go to Detail PageTongue Cancer
Most tongue cancers begin in the cells that cover the surfaces of your tongue. Tests to diagnose oral cancer include a physical exam, endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging tests.
Go to Detail PageTonsil Cancer
Tonsil cancer is a type of cancer that grows on the tonsils. Tonsils are the round pieces of tissue that hang in the back of the throat. As part of the body’s immune system, they help fight off illness. People who have had their tonsils removed can still get tonsil cancer in the tissue that is left behind.
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