At Shenandoah Oncology in Winchester, Virginia, we believe that advanced cancer treatment should be accessible, personal, and affordable. Patients from the Shenandoah Valley, including Harrisonburg, northern Shenandoah County, western Loudoun County, and Martinsburg, WV, come to us because we offer the latest therapies and diagnostic tools in a convenient, community-based setting.
What Are Head and Neck Cancers?
Head and neck cancers refer to a diverse group of malignancies that arise in the mouth, throat, nasal passages, sinuses, salivary glands, and voice box. These cancers typically start in the squamous cells that line moist surfaces in the head and neck area, but glandular cells may also be affected in certain types, like salivary gland cancer. Understanding the specific type of head and neck cancer is essential for determining the most effective treatment.
Types of Head and Neck Cancers
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Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: Involves areas such as the lips, tongue, soft palate, tonsils, and walls of the throat. Often linked to tobacco use and HPV infection.
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Nasopharyngeal cancer: Occurs behind the nose and above the back of the throat. This type is often related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
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Laryngeal cancer: Develops in the larynx or voice box, often causing voice changes or hoarseness.
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Hypopharyngeal cancer: Starts in the bottom part of the throat (hypopharynx), near the esophagus.
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Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer: A rare group of cancers that arise in the hollow spaces around the nose.
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Salivary gland cancer: Affects the glands that produce saliva and can involve many different cell types.
Causes of Head and Neck Cancers
Understanding what causes head and neck cancers can help with prevention and early detection. While anyone can develop these cancers, certain risk factors significantly increase the likelihood.
The primary causes include:
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Tobacco use: Smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or using smokeless tobacco dramatically increases risk.
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Excessive alcohol use: Especially when combined with tobacco.
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HPV infection: Particularly for oropharyngeal cancers; HPV-positive cancers tend to have a better prognosis.
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Epstein-Barr virus (EBV): Linked to nasopharyngeal cancer.
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Occupational exposures: Such as inhaling wood dust, asbestos, or other chemicals.
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Poor oral hygiene and nutrition: Can also be contributing factors in certain populations.
Signs and Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancers
The symptoms of head and neck cancers can often mimic less serious health issues, which is why it’s important to pay attention to persistent or unusual changes in your body. Early detection improves treatment outcomes significantly.
Common symptoms include:
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A persistent sore throat or mouth sore that doesn’t heal
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Unexplained hoarseness or voice changes
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Difficulty swallowing or a feeling of something stuck in the throat
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Persistent ear pain or ringing
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A lump or swelling in the neck or face
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Nasal obstruction, frequent nosebleeds, or facial numbness
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Unintentional weight loss and fatigue
What Are the Stages of Head and Neck Cancers?
Staging helps determine how far the cancer has spread and plays a critical role in choosing the best treatment plan. At Shenandoah Oncology, staging is completed using the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system.
TNM System:
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T (Tumor): Describes the size and extent of the main tumor
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N (Nodes): Indicates whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes
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M (Metastasis): Indicates if the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body
Stage Groupings:
Overall, there are four stages of cancer, with sub-stages based on the size of the tumor, where it’s growing, and whether it has affected lymph nodes or other organs in the body.
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Stage I: Small, localized cancer
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Stage II: Larger tumor, but still limited to one area
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Stage III: Cancer has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes
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Stage IV: Advanced cancer that may have spread to distant organs
Each type of head and neck cancer has its own specific stages based on characteristics of the cancer.
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Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer staging varies based on where the cancer started:
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The supraglottis (the area above the vocal cords)
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The glottis (the area that includes the vocal cords)
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The subglottis (the area below the vocal cords)
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Ooropharyngeal cancer staging is based on whether it tests positive for HPV. Cancers that test positive for HPV (p16-positive) generally have a better prognosis than those that do not (p16-negative). Because of this, there are separate staging systems for HPV-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancers.
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HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers tend to respond better to treatment and have different criteria for each stage (I–III), based on tumor size and spread to lymph nodes.
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HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancers follow the traditional TNM staging system and are often staged from I through IV, depending on tumor size (T), lymph node involvement (N), and distant spread (M).
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Nasal and paranasal cancer stages are based on where the cancer started:
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The nasal cavity or ethmoid sinus
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Maxillary sinus
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What Are the Treatments for Head and Neck Cancers?
Treatment for head and neck cancers is highly individualized based on the specific cancer type, its stage, biomarkers, and the patient’s overall health. At Shenandoah Oncology, we provide coordinated, comprehensive care that may include one or more of the following:
Surgery
Used to remove the tumor and affected lymph nodes. Modern surgical techniques, such as transoral robotic surgery (TORS), minimize damage to surrounding tissue and speed up recovery.
Radiation Therapy
High-energy rays target and destroy cancer cells. It may be used alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy, especially in more advanced cases.
Chemotherapy
Often combined with radiation (chemoradiation), especially for advanced-stage disease. Common drugs include cisplatin-based regimens that improve survival rates.
Targeted Therapy
Drugs like cetuximab target specific proteins on cancer cells. Used in combination with other treatments or for advanced cancers.
Immunotherapy
Checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab or nivolumab may be used for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancers, particularly when standard therapies are no longer effective.
Clinical Trials
Patients at Shenandoah Oncology may qualify for cutting-edge treatments not yet widely available. Our team reviews all options to offer the best care close to home.
Trust Shenandoah Oncology for Head and Neck Cancer Care
Shenandoah Oncology brings the most advanced cancer care to the Shenandoah Valley, including Northern Virginia, Eastern West Virginia, and Western Maryland. Our patients benefit from:
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Access to the most current therapies and cancer research trials
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Convenient location and stress-free parking
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Lower treatment costs compared to hospital-based cancer centers
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A personal, compassionate care team that treats you like family
If you or a loved one is facing a head or neck cancer diagnosis, request an appointment at Shenandoah Oncology and experience expert care, close to home.
