Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer

Oral Cancer - What Is It? What are the Symptoms and Treatment? - Head and Neck Cancer
Oral Cancer - What Is It? What are the Symptoms and Treatment? - Head and Neck Cancer administrator 2 Views • 2 years ago

For more on Oral Cancer please visit [a]www.headandneckcancer.org.au[/a]

Head and Neck Cancer Australia is an Australian charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of everyone affected by Head and Neck Cancer.

Watch other 3D animation videos about all types of Head and Neck Cancer at our channel page or visit website - [a]www.headandneckcancer.org.au[/a]

Treatment Options for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer by Stage
Treatment Options for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer by Stage administrator 2 Views • 2 years ago

Treatment Options for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer by Stage
This information is based on AJCC Staging systems prior to 2018 which were primarily based on tumor size and lymph node status. Since the updated staging system for oropharyngeal cancer now also includes the p16 status of the tumor, the stages may be higher or lower than previous staging systems. Whether or not treatment strategies will change with this new staging system are yet to be determined. You should discuss your stage and treatment options with your physician.

The type of treatment your doctor will recommend depends on where the tumor is and how far the cancer has spread. Here are common ways to treat different stages of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer. But each situation is different. Your doctor may have reasons for suggesting a treatment option not mentioned here.

Most experts agree that treatment in a clinical trial should be considered for any type or stage of cancer in the head and neck areas. This way people can get the best treatment available now and may also get the new treatments that are thought to be even better.

Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ)
Although cancer in this stage is on the surface layer and has not started to grow into deeper layers of tissue, it can do so if not treated. The usual treatment is surgery (usually Mohs surgery, surgical stripping, or thin resection) to remove the top layers of tissue along with a small margin (edge) of normal tissue. Close follow-up is important to watch for signs that the cancer has come back. Carcinoma in situ that keeps coming back after surgery may need to be treated with radiation therapy.

Nearly all people with this stage survive a long time without the need for more intense treatment. Still, it's important to note that continuing to smoke increases the risk that a new cancer will develop.

Stages I and II
Most patients with stage I or II oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer do well when treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy (chemo) given along with radiation (called chemoradiation) is another option. It can be used alone, but it's most often used after surgery to treat any cancer cells that may be left behind. Both surgery and radiation work well in treating these cancers. The choice depends on your preferences and the expected side effects, including how the treatment might affect how you look and how you swallow and speak.

Lip
Surgery is preferred for small cancers that can be removed. Radiation alone may also be used as the first treatment. In this case, surgery might be needed later if radiation doesn’t completely get rid of the tumor.

Large or deep cancers often require surgery. If needed, reconstructive surgery can help correct the defect in the lip.

If the tumor is thick, it increases the risk that the cancer might have spread to lymph nodes in the neck, so the surgeon may remove them (called lymph node dissection) so they can be checked for cancer spread.

Oral cavity
For cancers of the floor of the mouth, front of the tongue, inside of the cheek, gums, and hard palate, surgery is the main treatment. Lymph nodes in the neck may be removed (called lymph node dissection) to check them for cancer spread. If it looks like the cancer hasn't been completely removed or if it has a high risk of coming back based on how the cancer cells look under the microscope (grade), radiation (often combined with chemo) may be added.

Radiation can be used instead of surgery as the main treatment for some people. This is most often done for people who can’t have surgery because of other medical problems.

Oropharynx
For cancers of the back of the tongue, soft palate, and tonsils, the main treatment is radiation therapy aimed at the cancer and the lymph nodes in the neck. Surgery can be used as the main treatment (instead of radiation). This would include removing lymph nodes in the neck (lymph node dissection). If any cancer remains after surgery, chemoradiation is often used.

Stages III and IVA
Oral cavity cancers
These cancers in the floor of the mouth, front of the tongue, inside of the cheek, gums, and hard palate include bigger cancers, those that have grown into nearby tissues, and/or those that have spread to nearby lymph nodes in the neck. They're often treated with a combination of surgery and radiation. Surgery is often done first and includes taking out some of the neck lymph nodes (lymph node dissection).

Oropharyngeal cancers
These are cancers in the back of the tongue, soft palate, and tonsils that are larger cancers, have grown into nearby tissues, and/or have spread to nearby lymph nodes in the neck. These cancers are often treated with chemoradiation, although radiation and cetuximab may be used in some cases. The effect of combining radiation with both chemo and cetuximab is also being studied. Any cancer that remains after chemoradiation is removed with surgery.

Throat Cancer Survivor Is Grateful For A Second Chance At Life
Throat Cancer Survivor Is Grateful For A Second Chance At Life administrator 3 Views • 2 years ago

Navy veteran Fred Escobedo battled throat cancer at Baptist Health's Miami Cancer Institute, with a multidisciplinary team led by head and neck surgeon, Dr. Geoffrey Young. Now cancer free, Fred says that the convenience of having all of his doctors, treatments and support services under one roof was helpful throughout his cancer journey.

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[Transcript]

(gentle music)

[Fred Escobedo, throat cancer survivor, in interview setting]

[Fred] My name is Fred Escobedo and I am a cancer survivor.

[Photo montage showing Fred’s 5 sons]

[Fred] I am the primary caretaker of my children since I have retired. We have five kids. They're all boys. This is the most difficult job that I had done my entire life.

[Photo montage showing Fred in uniform posing by helicopters]

[Fred] And I've been military for 20 years in a combat zone. This is far more difficult than that.

[Quick fade to black. Video fades up to Fred in interview setting]
(music changes to quiet, tense theme)

[Fred] I notice like something was in my throat. Like I couldn't clear it.

[Geoffrey Young, M.D., Ph.D Chief of head and neck surgery, Miami Cancer Institute, in interview setting]

[Dr. Young] Fred ended up having a squamous cell carcinoma which is the most common cancer we see in the head and neck area. In addition, his was caused by the HPV virus, which is now really the most common cancer that we see in the back of the throat.

[Fred] At first, I was in denial that, I don't smoke I don't do anything crazy, you know? So why did this happen to me?

[Fred stands by a large window at Miami Cancer Institute, looking outside, deep in thought]

[Dr. Young] We, as physicians, owe it to our patients to look at them, not as their disease but as an individual. We are very lucky at Miami Cancer Institute to be able to provide our patients with multi-disciplinary subspecialty access specifically in the head and neck. We see patients together, myself the medical oncologist, radiation oncologist speech-language pathologist, dental oncologist, when needed will also join the group.

[Fred seated on an exam table in an examination room with Dr. Young standing next to him, having a discussion about Fred's case.]

[Dr. Young] The good news is with this particular type of cancer it actually responds well to treatment, but we have to individualize which treatment is going to be best for the patient in the long run.

[Fred] I had received radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

[Dr. Young] The patients who receive specifically radiation and chemotherapy in the head neck it can be very difficult journey for them.

[Fred] It was hard to eat. I lost quite a bit of weight.

[Dr. Young] To have the support services that are able to provide nutritional support. Pain management is very important for our patients.

[Lobby of Cancer Patient Support Center, inside Miami Cancer Institute]

[Fred steps up to reception desk where a nurse greets him]

[Fred] Everyone was very caring. The team at pain management was extremely good. Nutrition people were always trying to find different ways for me to, to keep myself healthy. Everything was in one location. It was very convenient and very helpful.

[Medical scan of Fred's throat showing a small dot indicating cancer]

[Dr. Young] Subsequent imaging was concerning for a residual small amount of cancer in the back of his throat.

[Dr. Young wearing surgical scrubs and operating the controls of a surgical robot]

[Dr. Young] Fred was lucky in that we now have access to trans oral robotic surgery which is a minimally invasive way of getting to some tumors in the back of the throat. And we were able to remove his tumor through his mouth with the surgical robot. He spent one night in the hospital and went home the next day.

(music transitions to upbeat theme)

[Home video of Fred ringing the bell inside Miami Cancer Institute after his final treatment. People are heard cheering from off camera]

[Fred] I am cancer-free right now. The day I rang the bell I felt it was very emotional. I felt relief that the treatment was completed and I was hopeful for the future. I would like to see my kids grow up, see my grandkids and I feel blessed to have a second chance in life.

(music ends on upbeat note)

[Miami Cancer Institute. Baptist Health South Florida. Better. For You.]

[end transcript]

Mayo Clinic Explains Oral Cancer
Mayo Clinic Explains Oral Cancer administrator 3 Views • 2 years ago

Learning about oral cancer can be intimidating. Let our experts walk you through the facts, the questions, and the answers to help you better understand this condition. For more reading visit: https://mayocl.in/3uGBvgL When it comes to your health, Mayo Clinic believes credible and clear information is paramount. There’s a lot to learn about oral cancer. We’re here to help.                

0:00 Introduction
0:24 What is oral cancer?
1:16 Who gets oral cancer? / Risk factors 
2:08 Symptoms of oral cancer 
2:46 How is oral cancer diagnosed?
3:39 Treatment options 
4:45 Coping methods/ What now?    
5:08 Ending            

Still have questions about oral cancer? That’s okay.   https://bit.ly/3vlCr9G

More videos on oral cancer
· Oral cancer treatment and reconstruction: Mayo Clinic Radio - https://bit.ly/3KRdcCM
· HPV Head and Neck Cancers: Mayo Clinic Radio - https://bit.ly/3JQaNqE
· Mayo Clinic Minute: How proton beam therapy can treat mouth and throat cancer  - https://bit.ly/3JGyUYz

Visit Mayo Clinic: https://mayocl.in/3OdqRpv

Like Mayo Clinic on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MayoClinic      
Follow Mayo Clinic on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayoclinic/      
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