Head & Neck Cancer – Types & Stages

Cancer Screening & Treatment in Orange County, CA

No matter who you are or what your condition, a cancer diagnosis can be one of life’s scariest challenges – but it’s never something you have to face alone. At Orange County CyberKnife, we are committed to providing our patients with comprehensive treatment and support throughout the battle against cancer, using world-class cancer treatments like CyberKnife to help our patients beat cancer without surgery. We treat a wide variety of cancerous conditions, including the various forms of head & neck cancer.

Types of Head & Neck Cancer

Head & neck cancer is a blanket term used to refer to any cancer that forms in the mouth, throat, sinuses, or the tissues and cavities of the head. Notably, head & neck cancer does not encompass cancers that form in the brain or the skull cavity – brain cancer is a separate condition with its own types, stages, and treatments.

Head & neck cancer is generally divided into one of five main types, classified by their location:

• Laryngeal & Hypopharyngeal Cancer: The larynx, also called the voice box, is a tube-shaped organ located in the neck at the top of the windpipe, or trachea. They hypopharynx, also called the gullet, encompasses the lower part of the throat and surrounds the larynx. Cancers affecting these organs are generally classified in the same group.

• Nasal Cavity & Paranasal Sinus Cancer: These cancers form in the cavities at the front of the face. The nasal cavity is the space just behind the nose, the first place air passes through on its way to the throat. The paranasal sinuses are air-filled cavities that surround the nasal cavity, all located in the face relatively close to the skin.

• Nasopharyngeal Cancer: The nasopharynx is an air passageway that connects the throat and the nose, located behind the nose at the upper part of the throat.

• Oral & Oropharyngeal Cancer: The oral cavity, more commonly called the mouth, is actually the space that houses the jaws, gums, teeth, and tongue. The oropharynx is the section of the throat located behind the mouth, stretching from the tonsils down to the tip of the voicebox.

• Salivary Gland Cancer: The salivary glands are located at various places around the mouth, and they produce the saliva that keeps the mouth moist and begins the process of breaking down food for digestion.

Each of these five categories may contain a number of specific types of cancers, and each individual cancer type has its own unique set of stages. Your oncologist will work with you to use diagnostic tests to determine your exact type of cancer, its stage and prognosis, and your treatment plan.

Schedule a Cancer Treatment Consultation & Second Opinion with OC CyberKnife

In all cases, head & neck cancer is a serious condition that should be treated as quickly as possible – and if you or a loved one have recently been diagnosed, OC CyberKnife is committed to helping you. We offer a comprehensive array of advanced cancer treatments, and we’re often able to use non-invasive, non-surgical methods to treat cancer as comfortably and conveniently. You deserve the best cancer treatment available – so call us today at 714.962.7100 to schedule a consultation or get a second opinion.
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