Head, neck, and neck cancer, which threatens the function of eating, talking, and breathing, also spreads to sex
Mar 17, 2025
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The head and neck are the parts responsible for essential functions of the human body, such as eating, speaking, and breathing. In addition, if cancer occurs, it is difficult to treat because the cancer must be removed and the function must be preserved, and it can leave aftereffects even after treatment. Early detection, treatment, and prevention are very important. Together with Professor Kim Soo-il of the Department of Otolaryngology at Gangdong Kyunghee University Hospital, we summarized the symptoms and treatments of head and neck cancer.
◇Sore throat, swallowing disorder, hemoptysis, negative changes are suspected
Head and neck cancer is classified into oral cancer, laryngeal cancer, pharyngeal cancer, salivary gland cancer, thyroid cancer, sinus cancer, etc. depending on the location of occurrence. When head and neck cancer occurs, symptoms such as sore throat, swallowing disorders, hemoptysis, and shortness of breath may appear.
In addition, major symptoms may include a husky voice (lasting for more than 3 weeks), lumps in the neck (mass), one nasal congestion and nosebleeds, ear pain, persistent bad breath, and weight loss of unknown cause. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the cancer, with laryngeal cancer prominent in voice changes (resting voices), mouth cancer in mouth ulcers or bleeding, pharyngeal cancer in swallowing disorders and pain spreading to the ear.
◇Main cause of smoking, drinking and human papillomavirus (HPV)
The main causes of head and neck cancer are smoking and drinking. In particular, it has been confirmed in several studies that the incidence of cancer increases in the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal areas according to the amount and duration of smoking and drinking. Recently, human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual intercourse, has been found to be an additional major cause. In particular, in the case of pharyngeal cancer that occurs in the tonsils, tongue roots, and research dogs, the detection rate of human papillomavirus appears from 50% to as much as 80%, showing a high correlation between human papillomavirus and oropharyngeal cancer.
◇ Treatment is difficult, recurrence is high, and early diagnosis is important
Head and neck cancer is a cancer in which early diagnosis is very important. If cancer progresses, the scope of treatment becomes wide, resulting in disabilities in essential functions such as eating, speaking, and breathing, and even with radical treatments, the probability of recurrence is high and the survival rate for more than five years is very low.
For early diagnosis, it is recommended to visit a hospital for treatment when there are suspicious symptoms. Major symptoms of head and neck cancer include persistent mouth ulcers, a lump being touched in the mouth, pain, bad breath, and voice changes. In the hospital, if head and neck cancer is suspected, it is confirmed by observing the entire nasal cavity to the larynx with a laryngoscope and performing a biopsy or fine needle test if necessary.
◇Cancer treatment while preserving function...Multidisciplinary approach required
Surgical treatment is the basis for head and neck cancer. However, it is the preservation of essential functions that the head and neck are considered as important as radical surgery.
In the case of simply considering surgical resection, very basic and essential functions such as eating, speaking, and breathing work incompletely, and the quality of life is very poor. It is important to strike a balance between several treatment methods, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and preservation of essential functions. Therefore, multidisciplinary treatment, in which several medical departments cooperate, is essential.
It is very important to preserve important nerves and blood vessels in the face and neck during head and neck cancer surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery is performed to preserve function, and there are many oral cavity surgeries that come into contact with the mouth through endoscopy or robotic surgery.
In oral cavity laser surgery or endoscopic surgery, a surgical microscope or endoscope can be used in the mouth to enlarge and observe the surgical site located deep in the neck, and the lesion can be resected with a laser or endoscopic instrument. In addition, cancer on the tonsils or roots of the tongue can be operated by robots. Surgery can be performed in a much better field of view than with the naked eye, which can shorten the time and reduce the range of incision.
Professor Kim Soo-il said "After head and neck cancer surgery, eating disorders, voice disorders, and breathing disorders may occur. If the tongue, amygdala, larynx, etc. are removed, the function of the area may be limited or lost, so it is also important for the patient to understand and cope with this."
◇ Stay away from drinking and smoking, and vaccination against human papilloma is also required
Prevention of head and neck cancer is more important than anything else because the aftereffects of head and neck cancer can remain significant even after surgery. It is necessary to keep away from alcohol and cigarettes as much as possible, and to be careful of human papillomavirus vaccination and indiscriminate sex.
Professor Kim Soo-il said, `In particular, the main cause of pharyngeal cancer is the human papillomavirus, which has previously been found to cause cervical cancer, so many countries have been vaccinating women to prevent it. However, when the virus moves to the pharynx through oral sex, it causes several head and neck cancers. To prevent this, it is recommended to administer vaccination not only in women but also in men. "
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
