Head and Neck Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Types & PET CT as a Diagnostic Tool

Head and neck cancer is the broad group of cancers that are affect mouth, throat, parts of neck etc. One of the common symptoms for all these cancers is sore throat and limiting the tobacco used can help to reduce the risk for head and neck cancers. Head and neck cancers are the conditions when there in controlled division of cells in any part of the head and neck leading to the formation of tumors. If not detected at the early stage, these cancers can spread to other parts of the body. During this stage these cancers become fatal and very difficult to treat as it involves other parts of the body. Early detection is important for any type of cancer and that suits for head and neck cancer also. There are various diagnostic tool like CT scan, biopsy tests, PET CT scan, MRI scan etc. but PET CT is proffered diagnostic tool fro the detection of head and neck cancer. Because it can detect the cancers at early stages and helps for easy and early treatment. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) is the most common radioactive tracer used in the head and neck scan. It acts as glucose analog and helps to look for cell abnormalities at the metabolic level.

Head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer is the broad term of cancers which includes all cancers that occur in head and neck. These cancers include mouth, nasal, pharynx, voice box etc. Most of these cancers are Squamous cell because these cancers beings with the cell lining of these head and throat parts.  Head and neck cancer accounts around 4.5% of total cancers around the world and these are mostly related to males.

What are the different types of head and neck cancer?

There are different types of head and neck cancers related to the mouth, parts of throat and other associated structures of head and neck. These cancers include:

• Oral cancer
• Salivary gland cancer
• Nasal cavity and Paranasal sinus cancer
• Nasopharyngeal cancer
• Oropharyngeal cancer
• Hypopharyngeal cancer
• Laryngeal cancer

What are the symptoms of Head and neck cancer?

There are various symptoms related to Head and neck cancer and these symptoms include:

• Frequent headaches
• Persistent sore throat
• Persistent earache or ear infections
• Pain during chewing and swallowing
• Pain in teeth
• Hoarseness of voice
• Trouble in breathing and speaking
• Lump in mouth and throat
• Sores in mouth and tongue that doesn’t heal
• Nose bleeding frequently and phlegm etc.

These were some of the common symptoms related to the head and neck cancer.

What are the causes of Head and neck cancer?

Head and neck cancer occurs when normal cells turn abnormal and divides in uncontrolled manner leading to the formation of tumors. There is not the specific cause of the head and neck cancer, there are various risk factors that cause head and neck cancer and these include:

• Consumption of tobacco or tobacco related products
• Alcohol consumption
• Infection of Human papilloma virus
• Betel nut chewing 
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection
• Weak immune system
• Genetics
• Long term exposure of carcinogen agents
• Poor oral hygiene
• Salt cured food

What can PET CT scan show in Head and neck cancer?

PET CT is the advanced radiological test that is used to detect head and neck cancer. This test shows various conditions related to the head and neck, these conditions include:

• It helps to diagnose the type of  head and neck cancer
•  It helps to detect the origin of neck and head cancer
• It helps to detect the severity of the head and neck cancer
• It helps to detect the damage and spread of head and neck cancer
• It helps to plan the biopsies, treatments for head and neck cancer
• It helps to look for the reoccurrence of head and neck cancer
• It helps to design a treatment for the head and neck cancer

What is the procedure for Head and neck cancer PET CT scan?

A PET-CT scan for Head and neck cancer involves the use of the radioactive tracer. This PET CT uses Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) as radioactive tracer, which helps to detect the cancer and severity of the cancer in head and neck. Radioactive tracer acts glucose and helps to tracer the metabolic activities at the cellular level. Patient is given this tracer through IV and advised to wait for 1 hour till the glucose reaches to the body. After that, patient is made to lie on the table attached with the scanner, the table slides inside the scanner and scanning of the body starts. It takes around 30- 60 minutes for scanning and the whole process may last for around 2 hours. Patient is advised to limit the movement during the scan for good imaging.

Conclusion

Head and neck cancer is the broad term that includes all the cancers that occur in head, neck and associated tissues. There are various cancers which can be include in the head and neck cancer, these are mouth, Oral cancer, Salivary gland cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, Oropharyngeal cancer etc. Head and neck cancers are common cancers and consist of 4.5% of global cancer with more percentage in males than females. Consumption of tobacco or tobacco related products are considered to be the main cause of these cancers. But various other causes include genetic, family history, exposure to carcinogens, poor oral health etc. Early detection of cancer is important for the effective treatment and limits the spread. PET CT is on of the advanced radiological tool which helps to detect the cancers at the earliest of the stages and help to limit the spread also.