Have you been diagnosed with head and neck cancer? Or do you know someone who has been? The American Cancer Society reports there were approximately 52,610 new cases of head and neck cancers in 2012 in the United States. This accounts for approximately 3 percent of all cancers in the U.S. according to the National Cancer Institute. Head and neck cancer affects twice as many men as women.
Oral cavity: The mouth including lips, gums, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard palate, jaw and two thirds of the tongue.
Pharynx: The throat including the base of the tongue and the tonsils.
Larynx: The “voicebox,” which is formed by cartilage and contains the vocal cords.
Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity: The paranasal sinuses are small hollow spaces in the bones of the head surrounding the nose. The nasal cavity is the hollow space inside the nose.
Salivary glands: The major salivary glands, which produce saliva, are in the floor of the mouth and near the jawbone.
Thyroid: A butterfly shaped endocrine gland near the base of the neck above your collarbone.
Common treatments for Head and Neck Cancer include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Such treatments may cause changes in anatomy that affect your ability to speak and/or you can develop dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
A Speech Pathologist can help! A licensed Speech Pathologist is able to evaluate the nature of speech and/or swallowing difficulties and disorders. He/she can determine the safest diet consistencies, develop an exercise program, design compensatory strategies and/or provide voice therapy. Talk to your physician about whether a referral to a Speech Pathologist is appropriate.
This site is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your physician or other health care professional to determine whether a certain treatment is right for your needs.
National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/head-and-neck
Jemal A, Siegel R, Xu J, Ward E. Cancer statistics, 2010. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 2010; 60(5):277–300.[PubMed Abstract]
American Cancer Society (2012). Cancer Facts & Figures 2012 Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
Tracy Thomas graduated with her Bachelors and Masters of Science from University of the Pacific in Stockton, California in 2004. She helps a variety of adults, however, her specialty is evaluating and treating individuals with voice disorders and dysphagia, especially difficulty swallowing due to head and neck cancer.