Head and neck cancer treatments

Head and neck cancer is a general term used to refer to cancers in the head and neck areas such as around the throat, nose and sinuses, larynx, salivary glands, ... This type of cancer is quite common, accounting for 10% of all cancers. total number of cancers. However, with timely and appropriate treatment, the disease still has a good prognosis and improves quality of life. So, what are the current methods of treating head and neck cancer, please learn through the following article.

Many head and neck cancers can be cured, especially if they are found early. Although removing the cancer is the main goal of treatment, preserving the function of nearby nerves, organs, and tissues is also important. When planning treatment for head and neck cancer, doctors consider how treatment may affect a person's quality of life, such as how he feels, looks, talks, and eats. and a person's breath.
In addition to the commonly used primary head and neck cancer treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy,... your care plan also includes This can include treatment of symptoms and side effects, which is an important part of head and neck cancer care.
Head and neck cancer treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors, including the type and stage of head and neck cancer, possible side effects, and your wishes and overall health. patient.

2.1 Surgery - treatment of head and neck cancer The purpose of surgery is to remove the cancerous tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue during surgery. Types of surgery for head and neck cancer include:
Laser surgery: this can be used to treat early-stage tumors, especially those in the larynx. Excision: Excision is surgery to remove the cancerous tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue. Lymph node dissection or cervical lymphadenectomy: If the doctor suspects cancer has spread, he or she may remove the lymph nodes in the neck. This can be done at the same time as the resection. Reconstructive (plastic) surgery: If cancer surgery requires large tissue removal, such as removal of the jaw, skin, pharynx, or tongue, reconstructive or blepharoplasty may be performed to replace lost tissue. This surgery helps restore a person's appearance and function of the affected area. Depending on the location, stage, and type of head and neck cancer, some people may need more than one surgery. Sometimes, the cancer cannot be completely removed and additional treatment may be needed. For example, surgery may be followed by radiation, chemotherapy, or both to destroy cancer cells that cannot be removed during surgery.
Side effects of surgery: Side effects of surgery depend on the type and location of surgery. Common side effects from head and neck surgery include: temporary or permanent loss of normal voice, impaired speech and hearing loss, difficulty chewing or swallowing, swelling of the mouth and throat area, difficulty breathing, facial deformity, stiffness in the shoulder after lymph node dissection, lymphedema, decreased thyroid function,...
2.2 Radiation therapy - treatment of head and neck cancer Radiation therapy for head and neck cancer is method that uses high-energy X-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells in the head and neck. Radiation therapy can be used to treat head and neck cancer including helping to cure the disease and/or relieve its symptoms. It may be used alone or in combination or in sequence with other head and neck cancer treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy.
The most common type of radiation therapy is called external radiation therapy, which is radiation given from a machine outside the body.
Proton radiation therapy is another type of external beam radiation therapy that uses protons instead of X-rays. Internal radiation therapy: When radiation therapy is given using an implanted device, it is called an implant. internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy. Radiation therapy side effects: tooth decay, short- or long-term pain, difficulty swallowing, voice changes due to swelling and scarring, loss of appetite due to changes in the sense of taste, dry mouth, redness, skin irritation, nausea , sore throat, lymphedema,... The most important of which are speech and swallowing side effects, so patients need to start speech and swallowing therapy early, before starting radiation therapy to help. prevent long-term problems with speaking or eating.
Also, depending on where the radiation is given, the treatment can also cause a condition called hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland (located in the neck) slows down and makes the patient feel tired. tired, lethargic. This can be treated with thyroid hormone replacement medication. Every patient receiving radiation therapy to the neck should have their thyroid function checked regularly.
2.3 Drug therapies Drugs used to treat head and neck cancer can be given through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body. When a drug is used in this way, it is called systemic therapy. The drug can also be used topically, which is when it is applied directly to the cancer or kept in a part of the body.
Usually, medication is given intravenously or as a pill or capsule to be swallowed (orally).
Medications used for head and neck cancer include:
Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is a method of using drugs to kill cancer cells, usually chemotherapy keeps cancer cells from growing. grow, divide, and make more cells.
When having chemotherapy you may receive one drug at the same time or a combination of different drugs and go through a number of specific treatment cycles.
Side effects of chemotherapy depend on the person and the dose used, but they can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, diarrhea, loss of appetite. These side effects usually go away after treatment is complete.
Targeted therapy:
Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets cancer-specific genes, proteins or tissue environments that contribute to cancer survival and growth. This treatment works to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells, while also limiting damage to the remaining healthy cells.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy, also known as biological therapy, works by helping the body strengthen its natural defenses against cancer. It uses materials made by the body or from a lab to improve, target, or restore the function of the immune system.

Cancer and cancer treatments cause physical symptoms and side effects, as well as affect mental, emotional, social and financial relationships. Managing all of these effects is called supportive or palliative care. This is an important part of your head and neck cancer care.
Palliative care includes all treatments intended to slow, stop, or eliminate cancer. Through managing symptoms, supporting patients and their families, and other nonmedical palliative care needs will help improve how you feel during treatment.
No matter who you are, what type of cancer you are, or at what stage you can get this kind of care. And it often works best when started soon after the cancer is diagnosed. Patients who receive palliative care with other cancer treatments often have less severe symptoms, a better quality of life, and are generally more satisfied with their treatment.
Palliative care methods are varied and often include medications, nutritional changes, relaxation techniques, emotional support, and many other therapies.
Department of Oncology - Radiation Therapy of Vinmec system is focused on carefully investing in expertise and equipment, bringing satisfaction to patients.
The leading team of domestic and international doctors: the doctors are all highly qualified, experienced, conscientious and knowledgeable, having worked in major hospitals of Vietnam, Korea, Russia, are trained specialized training in the country and abroad to bring the most effective and new treatment regimens to patients. Intensive technique, effective treatment of difficult cases: is the first and only hospital in Vietnam to successfully deploy robotic surgery. CT scan accurately detects cancer even when there are no symptoms. Applying advanced gene technologies to early detect the risk of 16 most common cancers. Deploying autologous immunotherapy and thermotherapy in combination with cancer treatment to effectively prevent recurrence. Continuously working for the community: always accompanies the community in free screening programs for common cancers: Breast, cervical, colorectal, etc. Thousands of patients cannot be screened for cancer, join hands with the community to fight back the dreaded cancer. To register for examination and treatment with the leading doctors of the Department of Oncology - Radiation Therapy, please click the "Contact Us" button on the website, or register for an online examination.