Head and neck cancer surgery

Overview

Head and neck cancers are a broad category of malignant tumors that can develop in or around the throat, mouth, nose, and sinuses. The phrase "head and neck tumor" refers to a category of tumors that develop mostly from the surface layers of the upper aerodigestive tracts (UADT).

The upper aerodigestive tract is made up of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, and nasopharynx. Squamous cell carcinomas account for about 90% of all head and neck malignancies because to the involvement of UADT mucus linings. Squamous cell carcinoma is a kind of malignant squamous epithelial tumor that has substantial differentiation and a proclivity for primitive and extensive lymph node metastases.

Many head and neck cancers are curable, especially if detected earlier. Although the major objective of treatment is to eradicate the cancer, it is equally critical to preserve the function of adjacent nerves, organs, and tissues. Doctors examine how treatment may influence a person's quality of life, such as how a person feels, looks, talks, eats, and breathes, while planning treatment.