Though head and neck tumors are rare, they can have a devastating effect on a person’s appearance and how a person speaks, swallows, and breathes. At Chicago ENT, our goal is to not only eliminate the disease, but also to restore our patient’s appearance, function, and ability to recover emotionally.
Non-invasive means smoother recovery
Finding new and better ways to treat our patients with head and neck cancer remains a top priority for our surgeons. Chicago ENT medical director Dr. Michael Friedman recently developed and published articles highlighting many new techniques for reconstructing the trachea and larynx to allow surgical removal of the tumor. These techniques patients to return to relatively normal lives.
All the head and neck surgeons at Chicago ENT often recommend using non-invasive surgical methods combined with the guidance of virtual real-time computerized scans to remove tumors without more debilitating—and more invasive— open procedures. Chicago ENT physicians also perform minimally invasive surgery for skull base tumors. For more information on specific cancers of the head and neck, please click here.
Head and neck cancer – watch the signs
The symptoms for head and neck cancer differ greatly depending on what type of cancer is present. If you have:
- A change in the voice or hoarseness that doesn’t go away
- A sore throat that does not go away
- Difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing
- Ear pain
- A lump in the neck
- Coughing
… you may want to schedule an appointment with a Chicago ENT specialist to discuss potential symptoms of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer.
Symptoms of oral cancer
If you have:
- A lump on the lips or in the mouth
- A sore on the lips or in the mouth that does not heal
- A red or white patch on the gums, tongue, tonsils, or lining of the mouth
- Bleeding or pain in the lips or mouth
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Loose teeth
- A sore throat
- Swelling in the jaw
… you may want to schedule an appointment with a Chicago ENT specialist to discuss potential symptoms of oral cancer.
Symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer
If you have:
- A lump in the back of the mouth, throat, or neck
- A sore throat that does not go away
- Coughing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain behind the breastbone
- Pain in the ear
- Unintended weight loss
- Voice change
… you may want to schedule an appointment with a Chicago ENT specialist to discuss potential symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer.
Symptoms of salivary cancer It’s important to note that salivary cancer often does not have any symptoms. It may be discovered during a routine dental check-up or physical exam. If any of these symptoms are present:
- A lump in the cheek, ear, jaw, lip, or inside of the mouth
- Difficulty opening the mouth fully
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fluid draining from the ear
- Numbness or weakness in the face
- Pain in the face that does not go away
… you may want to schedule an appointment with a Chicago ENT specialist to discuss potential symptoms of salivary cancer.
Symptoms of thyroid cancer
If you have:
- A lump in the side of the neck
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hoarseness or other voice change
… you may want to schedule an appointment with a Chicago ENT specialist to discuss potential symptoms of thyroid cancer.
For information on cancer treatment in the Chicago area, please click here.
If you have more questions on head and neck cancer, please click here for our FAQ.
