Head & Neck
Head and neck cancer is a group of cancers that begin in the tissues of the head and neck, including the mouth, throat, voice box, nasal cavity, sinuses, salivary glands, and thyroid. Use this page to review symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Disease Information
Use the sections below to review diagnosis, staging, and treatment information for each condition in one place.
What is Head & Neck Cancer?
Head and neck cancer is a group of cancers that begin in the tissues of the head and neck. Most start in the thin, flat cells (called squamous cells) that line the moist surfaces inside the mouth, throat, and voice box. These cancers are known as squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
Head and neck cancers can develop in several areas, including:
- The mouth (oral cavity), lips, and tongue
- The throat (pharynx), including the tonsils and base of the tongue
- The voice box (larynx)
- The nasal cavity and sinuses
- The salivary glands
Specifically, lip and oral cancer may be found:
- The front two thirds of the tongue.
- The gingiva (gums).
- The buccal mucosa (the lining of the inside of the cheeks).
- The floor (bottom) of the mouth under the tongue.
- The hard palate (the roof of the mouth).
- The retromolar trigone (the small area behind the wisdom teeth).
Cancer that forms in tissues of the oral cavity (the mouth) or the oropharynx (the part of the throat at the back of the mouth) are considered head and neck cancers. This includes:
- Areas under the tongue
- Lips
- Gums and teeth
- Tongue
- Lining of your cheeks
- Salivary glands (glands that make saliva)
- Floor of your mouth (area under the tongue)
- Areas of the throat
- Roof of your mouth (hard palate)
- Soft palate
- Uvula
- Oropharynx
- Tonsils
They do not include cancers of the brain or eye.
What are the symptoms of head & neck cancer?
Symptoms can vary depending on where the cancer starts. Some symptoms may seem minor at first but should be checked if they do not go away or get worse.
Common symptoms include:
- A sore in the mouth or on the lips that does not heal
- A lump or thickening in the neck
- Persistent sore throat or hoarseness
- Trouble swallowing, chewing, or speaking
- Ear pain or ringing in the ears
- Nosebleeds or ongoing sinus problems
- Numbness in the mouth or face
- Unexplained weight loss
Because many of these symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions, it’s important to talk with a healthcare provider if symptoms last more than a few weeks.
What are the risk factors for head & neck cancer?
- Tobacco use, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco
- Alcohol use, especially heavy or long-term use
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, particularly for cancers of the throat and tonsils
- Increasing age
- Poor oral health
- Being exposed to natural sunlight or artificial sunlight (such as from tanning beds) over long periods of time.
- Being male.
Avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and receiving the HPV vaccine can help reduce risk.
How is head & neck cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually involves a combination of exams and tests, such as:
- A physical exam of the head, neck, mouth, and throat
- Use of a small camera (endoscopy) to look inside hard-to-see areas
- Imaging tests, such as CT scans, MRI scans, or PET scans
- A biopsy, where a small tissue sample is removed and examined for cancer cells
Additional tests may be done to determine the cancer’s stage, which describes how far it has spread and helps guide treatment.
How is head & neck cancer treated?
Treatment for head and neck cancer depends on factors such as the cancer’s location, stage, type, overall health, and personal goals.
Common treatment options include:
- Surgery to remove the tumor and, in some cases, nearby lymph nodes
- Radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells using high-energy rays
- Chemotherapy, which uses medications to kill cancer cells or stop their growth
- Targeted therapy or immunotherapy, which focus on specific cancer features or help the immune system fight cancer
- Clinical trials, which may offer access to newer treatments
- Supportive care, such as speech therapy, nutritional support, and rehabilitation, may also be part of treatment and recovery.
Thyroid Cancer
What is thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the thyroid gland—a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. The thyroid produces hormones that help regulate metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Thyroid cancer develops when cells in the thyroid begin to grow uncontrollably and form a tumor.
There are several types of thyroid cancer:
- Papillary thyroid cancer: In the United States, this type makes up about 80 percent of all thyroid cancers. It begins in follicular cells and grows slowly. If diagnosed early, most people with papillary thyroid cancer can be cured.
- Follicular thyroid cancer: This type makes up about 15 percent of all thyroid cancers. It begins in follicular cells and grows slowly. If diagnosed early, most people with follicular thyroid cancer can be treated successfully.
- Medullary thyroid cancer: This type makes up about 3 percent of all thyroid cancers. It begins in the C cells of the thyroid. Cancer that starts in the C cells can make abnormally high levels of calcitonin. Medullary thyroid cancer tends to grow slowly. It can be easier to control if it's found and treated before it spreads to other parts of the body.
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer: This type makes up about 2 percent of all thyroid cancers. It begins in the follicular cells of the thyroid. The cancer cells tend to grow and spread very quickly. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is very hard to control.
What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer?
Many thyroid nodules are not cancerous; however, it’s important to be evaluated by a physician should you experience any new or persistent neck lump.
Early thyroid cancer often causes little or no symptoms. As the cancer grows, symptoms may become more noticeable and include:
- A lump or swelling in the neck
- Hoarseness or changes in the voice
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- Pain in the neck or throat
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
In most cases, the exact cause of thyroid cancer is unknown; however the following risk factors may increase the risk:
- Exposure to radiation, especially radiation treatments to the head or neck during childhood
- A family history of thyroid cancer or certain inherited genetic syndromes
- Female sex
- Increasing age, depending on the type of thyroid cancer
Most people diagnosed with thyroid cancer do not have a known risk factor.
How is thyroid cancer diagnosed?
Most often, thyroid cancer is first discovered when a physician feels a lump or nodule during a physical exam or sees a nodule on imaging conducted for something else. Diagnostic testing may include:
- Ultrasound of the thyroid to evaluate nodules
- Fine-needle aspiration biopsy, where a small sample of cells is removed and examined under a microscope
- Blood tests to evaluate thyroid function
- Imaging tests, such as CT scans or radioactive iodine scans, in select cases
These tests help determine whether a thyroid nodule is cancerous and guide treatment planning.
How is thyroid cancer treated?
Treatment for thyroid cancer depends on the cancer type, stage, and individual patient factors. Many people with thyroid cancer have very good outcomes.
Common treatment options include:
- Surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland
- Radioactive iodine therapy, which may be used after surgery for certain types of thyroid cancer
- Thyroid hormone therapy to replace hormones and help prevent cancer regrowth
- Targeted therapy or chemotherapy for advanced or aggressive cancers
- Clinical trials, which may offer access to newer treatments
Cancer Treatment Options
Most treatment plans combine several of these approaches. Your Virginia Cancer Specialists care team builds a plan around your specific diagnosis — explore each option below, or browse all treatments & services.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses powerful medicines to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth, and it remains one of the most widely used and effective cancer treatments. It can be given on its own or alongside surgery, radiation, or other therapies.
- Given by IV infusion or as pills, in planned cycles with recovery time between
- Delivered in our offices by our medical oncology team, close to home
- Often used to shrink a tumor before surgery or lower the risk of recurrence after
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses precisely targeted, high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells while sparing nearby healthy tissue. Virginia Cancer Specialists offers advanced, state-of-the-art radiation for a wide range of cancers and select benign conditions.
- Painless outpatient treatments that usually take only minutes a day
- Planned and delivered with image guidance by our APEx-accredited radiation oncology team
- Can be the main treatment, or support surgery and chemotherapy
Surgery to Treat Cancer
Surgery is one of the oldest and most effective treatments for cancer. For many cancers, removing the tumor offers the best chance for a positive outcome, often combined with other therapies before or after the operation.
- Used to diagnose, stage, and treat cancer, and to relieve symptoms
- Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques when appropriate
- Coordinated with your medical and radiation oncologists as one care plan
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy helps your body’s own immune system recognize, target, and destroy cancer cells. Over the past decade it has transformed treatment for many types of cancer.
- Works with your immune system rather than attacking cells directly
- Usually given by IV infusion in our offices
- May be used alone or with chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy focuses on the specific genes, proteins, and other molecular features that help cancer cells grow and survive. By attacking what makes a cancer unique, it can be highly effective with fewer effects on healthy cells.
- Guided by biomarker and genomic testing of your cancer
- Taken as pills or given by infusion
- Often paired with chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or immunotherapy
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy treats cancers that use the body’s natural hormones to grow — most commonly breast and prostate cancers — by lowering hormone levels or blocking their effects.
- Usually pills or injections rather than infusions
- Can lower the risk of recurrence after surgery or radiation
- Managed by your medical oncology team, sometimes over months or years
Specialized Programs
CAR T-Cell Therapy Program — one of the most advanced treatments for certain blood cancers: your own immune cells, re-engineered to fight the disease.
Scalp Cooling — cold-cap therapy that can significantly reduce hair loss during many types of chemotherapy.
Clinical Trials & Research — access to tomorrow’s treatments today through the Virginia Cancer Specialists Research Institute.
Physicians
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Locations
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Loudoun
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
571.350.8400
703.724.7503
44035 Riverside Parkway, Suite 300
The Supportive Cancer Care Team works in close partnership with each patient’s primary oncology team to ensure patients receive coordinated, comprehensive, seamless support that complements their current medical treatment. Patients have easy access to a team of compassionate experts – palliative care physicians, pain management specialists, social workers, nutritionists, nurse navigators, clinical coordinators, research coordinators, financial counselors, and many others who provide guidance, education, and emotional support every step of the way.
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Goals of Supportive Cancer Care
Virginia Cancer Specialists’ Supportive Cancer Care Program has 3 key goals:
Hallmarks of Our Supportive Cancer Care Program
While the primary goal is to improve quality of life for the patient and family throughout the treatment process, there are various ways in which this can be accomplished:
- Focusing on symptom management, including treating pain, insomnia, anxiety, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems
- Fostering open and honest communication
- Understanding the patient’s hopes and expectations
- Facing the realities of treatment and how it affects one’s life, including finances, employment, and more
- Providing support to caregivers and family
Patient Stories
Read patient stories and gain insight into their experiences, as well as the support they received from our dedicated care team.
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