Head & Neck Tumor Treatment

Few conditions raise as much concern and require as much expertise as tumors of the head and neck. Based on the complexity of the anatomy, swellings or lumps may represent tumors (benign or malignant), infections, cysts, or even variants of normal. A few of the red flags that raise suspicion for a tumor include a lump that has been present between seven weeks and seven years, one that is growing, one in an individual with a history of cancer, and a painless neck mass. Best care for head and neck tumors depends on an experienced team that includes an experienced and fellowship trained head and neck surgeon, even when the main treatment is not surgical because proper and expedient diagnosis, prevention and management of treatment side effects, and surveillance for tumor recurrence is largely done by a head and neck surgeon.

thyroid

Commonly, the thyroid gland has one or more lumps in it, which are called nodules. The vast majority of these nodules are benign. While most benign nodules do not require any treatment, some of the benign nodules do when they are producing too much thyroid hormone or are compressing nearby anatomy. While only about 5% of all nodules harbor cancer, the large number of people with thyroid nodules makes thyroid cancer moderately common. Fortunately, thyroid cancer is usually not particularly aggressive and the cure rate is high. When a nodule is identified, its risk is assessed and additional management steps are undertaken with a focus on choosing the right treatment for each individual situation.

parathyroid

Surgical removal of one or more parathyroid glands (parathyroidectomy) remains the mainstay for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (and selected cases of tertiary hyperparathyroidism) as it renders a cure about 95% of cases. Among cases of primary hyperparathyroidism, 85% are caused by a single overactive parathyroid gland, and its removal yields cure. Fortunately, due to two relatively recent advances (parathyroid imaging studies and intraoperative PTH measurements), parathyroidectomy may be performed in a minimally invasive approach with very high success rate. Pre-operative localization of the parathyroid may be done several ways, including use of a sestamibi or a SPECT scan.

Oral Cavity

Treatment of oral tumors generally starts with diagnosis (history, examination, x-rays/imaging, and biopsy), and treatment typically involves surgery with the possible addition of radiation, and/or medicine, depending on the situation. Surgery is the main treatment option for oral cancers, although radiation and medical therapy often play a role.

salivary gland

Tumors of the salivary glands are usually but not always benign. Once a salivary gland tumor has been identified and biopsied, its appearance under a microscope gives it a name and us a general idea of how it will behave. As such, a best treatment plan may be formulated. Surgery is the typical mainstay treatment of salivary gland tumors, though radiation therapy, medical therapy, or even observation are utilized in certain circumstances.

Neck

Treatment of neck tumors starts with diagnosis (based on history, examination, x-rays/imaging, and diagnostic biopsy). A tumor first identified in the neck may or may not have started in the neck. Once diagnosis is made, we have a much better idea of how well a tumor will respond to various treatment options, such as surgery, radiation, and/or medicine (or a combination of these).

SINUS TUMORS

Being uncommon and not readily visible, tumors of the nasal sinuses are often identified once large enough to cause persistent problems.  Imaging, endoscopy, and biopsy lead to the diagnosis and allows discussion of treatment options, typically including surgery, radiation, medicine, or a combination of these.