Head and Neck Cancer Treatment

Head and Neck Cancer Treatment in India: Types, Specialists and Treatment Options

A diagnosis of a condition pertaining to the head or neck gives rise to many doubts relating to the nature of the cancer, possible treatment, and the right type of doctor to deal with the case. Since head and neck areas have multiple structures that relate to respiration, eating, speech, etc., a treatment plan may need to be carefully designed.

For people looking for head and neck cancer treatment in India, knowledge about the various cancers, the specialists handling the disease and available modes of treatment may be helpful in making the process simpler for them. It all depends on the nature and stage of the disease along with other personal factors.

What Is Head and Neck Cancer?

Head and neck cancers are an assorted number of cancers that can arise from a range of regions within the head and neck region. This includes the mouth, throat, vocal cords, nose, sinuses, and salivary glands.

These cancers usually originate from the squamous cells that line the wet surfaces of these organs, although other cancers can also form.

The symptoms vary from region to region. Symptoms that do not heal over time, including a sore, lump, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness of the voice, changes in the voice or any unexplained bleeding, should be assessed by a competent health care practitioner.

What Are the Main Types of Head and Neck Cancer?

Head and neck cancers involve several types of cancers. These include but are not limited to:
Mouth Cancer
Cancer of the mouth may develop in places such as lips, tongue, gums, inside the cheek, under the tongue or hard palate.

Some of the symptoms that will require medical examination include mouth ulcer, unexplained bleeding from the mouth, mouth lump or mouth patch, difficulty in chewing food and changes in dentures fitting.

Pharyngeal Cancers

There are different types of pharyngeal cancers which can occur in the throat. The symptoms include sore throat that is not healed, difficulty in swallowing, earache but no infection of the ear, and neck lumps.

Larynx Cancer

This type of cancer develops in the voice box. Symptoms that could indicate the development of larynx cancer include persistent hoarseness, changes in the voice, difficulty in swallowing, and trouble breathing.

Nasal and Paranasal Sinus Cancers

These occur in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus. The symptoms include chronic blocked nose, recurring nosebleed, pain and swelling on face and change in smell perception.

Salivary Gland Cancers

The cancer arises from the salivary glands which produce saliva. The symptoms include continuous swelling of lumps near the jaw, cheek or neck

What Causes Head and Neck Cancer?

Some of the factors which can be responsible for head and neck cancers include the use of tobacco in any form, either by smoking or in the form of smokeless tobacco. Another risk factor may be the consumption of alcohol, especially if consumed with tobacco.

Some forms of HPV (human papilloma virus) have been known to cause some forms of oropharyngeal cancers.

Just being a risk factor doesn’t mean that someone will develop the disease. Some people develop head and neck cancer even in the absence of a risk factor.

What Specialists Treat Head and Neck Cancer?

Treatment for head and neck cancers can require several types of doctors due to various kinds of treatment required at various stages.

A head and neck oncologist in Delhi might come into play while diagnosing the condition and discussing treatment plans with other medical specialists, who can include:

●    Surgical oncologists or head and neck surgeons
●    Medical oncologists
●    Radiation oncologists
●    Radiologists
●    Pathologists
●    Reconstructive surgeons
●    Speech and swallowing experts
●    Dietitians
●    Rehabilitation experts

The list of medical specialists required varies from case to case.

What Are the Treatment Options for Head and Neck Cancer?

A treatment cannot be prescribed equally to all people suffering from the disease. The selection of treatment depends on many factors including the location of the tumour, stage of the disease, the general condition of the body, and in some cases, even special biological features of the organism.
Surgery
Surgical removal of the tumour and in some cases, the nearby lymph nodes of the neck is considered an option.

The amount of surgical intervention will depend on the location and size of the cancer. If surgery can affect such functions as speaking and swallowing abilities, or the physical appearance of the patient, it will be necessary to include reconstruction and rehabilitation into the treatment plan.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation treatment consists in the use of high-energy radiation aimed at destroying cancer cells or stopping their development. This kind of treatment may be used as the only treatment for some kinds of cancer or after surgery to decrease the chances of its recurrence.

Depending on the individual case, radiation therapy can be combined with other methods.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the method which uses medicines to fight cancer cells as they divide very quickly. It can be used before surgery, after surgery, or together with radiation therapy in certain cases.

The use of chemotherapy depends on the type and stage of the disease and treatment plan.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapies aim at working with certain molecules or processes in the cancer development. Depending on the characteristics of the patient's cancer, targeted therapies may be considered as an option.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is the treatment which teaches the immune system to detect cancer cells and destroy them. Some types of immunotherapy medicine can be used for advanced or recurrent head and neck cancers.

Why Is Multidisciplinary Care Important?

The structures that can be involved in cases of head and neck cancer are those that play a crucial role in speech, swallowing, breathing, and aesthetics. Consequently, planning of treatments in such cases may need contributions from different specialists.

Multidisciplinary team review of the diagnosis and consideration of surgery, radiation, systemic and supportive treatment approaches as a whole will enable a better coordination of the treatment decisions.

In cases where patients are making comparisons between the best head and neck cancer hospital in India the availability of a multidisciplinary team becomes a very important criterion

How Is the Stage of Head and Neck Cancer Determined?

Staging is key in the determination of the magnitude of the cancer and is critical in the planning of treatment.

Based on the cancer suspected, diagnosis may be done using physical examination, endoscopy, biopsy, and diagnostic tests such as CT scan, MRI, and PET-CT. Other tests may be performed if medically required.

Stage can take into account size and location of the tumour, lymph node involvement and metastasis.

How Do You Choose a Head and Neck Cancer Hospital?

A hospital cannot be chosen by just checking its ranking. The following things could help the patients or the relatives choose the right hospital, which includes:

●    Expertise of the oncology department in treating head and neck cancers
●    Presence of surgical, medical and radiation oncology
●    Presence of diagnostic and pathology departments
●    Multidisciplinary cancer treatment
●    Reconstruction and rehabilitation facilities when needed
●    Supportive and palliative care
●    Collaboration between the specialists and the patients
●    Accessibility of the hospital for routine follow-ups

While searching for the best head and neck cancer hospital in India, the patient should check the hospital’s capacity to deliver care for his/her specific diagnosis.

Why Choose Action Cancer Hospital for Head and Neck Cancer Care?

Action Cancer Hospital offers specialised oncology care to patients who are being evaluated or treated for various types of cancer. The cancer care program at Action Cancer Hospital offers a combination of specialised expertise and treatment programs for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow up of patients.

For people searching for information about head and neck cancer treatment in India, consultation with an expert oncology panel will help in understanding the diagnosis, treatment options, and the right treatment for each person.”
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is head and neck cancer treatment in India?

Head and neck cancer treatment in India is possible through the use of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or combinations of these procedures. The choice of the optimal treatment strategy depends on the localisation, type, stage and patient's factors of cancer.

2. Who treats head and neck cancer?

The management of these cancers may be carried out by head and neck oncologist in Delhi or a specialised surgeon that performs surgeries of head and neck. Other specialists like medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and rehabilitation doctors may be involved in the treatment process.

3. What are the most common types of head and neck cancer?

The most common types are cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, sinuses and salivary glands. The symptoms and treatment procedures depend on the localisation and the type of the cancer.

4. What are the treatment options for head and neck cancer?

The treatment of head and neck cancer includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Different patients may need different types of therapies depending on the stage and features of the cancer.

5. How is head and neck cancer diagnosed?

The diagnosis of head and neck cancer is performed by physical examination, endoscopy, imaging methods, and biopsy. Additional diagnostics may be suggested to define the stage and biological features of the cancer.

6. Does all head and neck cancer require surgery?

Not all patients with head and neck cancer will need surgery. The treatment procedure will depend on the type, localisation and stage of the cancer. Some cancers can be managed only by radiation therapy or systemic treatment.

7. How do I choose the best head and neck cancer hospital in India?

In searching for the best head and neck cancer hospital in India you should look for the expertise in treating these cancers, multidisciplinary approach to cancer management, presence of the necessary diagnostic methods and treatment strategies.

8. When should I see a head and neck oncologist in Delhi?

You should visit a healthcare provider with persistent symptoms like unhealed mouth ulcer, lump in the neck, difficulties with swallowing, voice changes or any other symptoms that cause concern. If head and neck cancer is suspected, a head and neck oncologist in Delhi will help you.

9. Is there a chance of treating head and neck cancer successfully?

There is a possibility of treating many head and neck cancers, especially in cases where the disease is discovered early. The success of treatment depends on several variables such as the stage and type of cancer as well as general health status and reaction to the treatment.
Understanding Your Treatment Options
There are different cancers associated with head and neck, and hence treatment should be personalised. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy could play a part in treating different cancers depending on the type.

For individuals seeking head and neck cancer treatment in India, the first step to take is to get an accurate diagnosis and seek consultations from an expert multidisciplinary oncology team. Selecting a hospital that has experience in providing such treatment would enable the patient to make better decisions regarding their cancer treatment.