Head & Neck Cancers
Head and neck cancers are malignant tumors that develop in the throat, voice box (larynx), nose, sinuses, or mouth. They often begin in the moist linings of these areas. The risk of head and neck cancer increases for people who smoke, chew tobacco, or consume alcohol.
At the Cancer Center of Southern California, our specialists offer personalized, multidisciplinary head and neck cancer care with access to the latest innovative therapies and clinical trials.
Call us at (310) 552-9999 or complete our online form to schedule a consultation today.
What are Head & Neck Cancers?
Each year, tens of thousands of people in the U.S. are diagnosed with head and neck cancers. These cancers typically begin in the squamous cells lining the mouth, throat, or voice box, though they can also develop in the salivary glands, sinuses, or the muscles and nerves of the head and neck.
Men over the age of 50 are especially at risk, and the disease accounts for nearly 4% of all cancer cases in the country.
What Makes Our Care for Head & Neck Cancers Unique
At the Cancer Center of Southern California, we emphasize early detection and expert care for a successful outcome.
Expert-Led Care: Led by Dr. Sant Chawla, we provide advanced, research-backed care.
Fast, Accessible Care: Same-week appointments, HMO & Kaiser accepted, single-subject INDs supported.
Exclusive Clinical Trials: Provide access to cutting-edge therapies unavailable elsewhere, opening doors to cutting-edge treatment options.
Personalized Treatment Plans: Customized treatment based on your diagnosis, tumor type and grade, medical history, and lifestyle.
Subtypes of Head & Neck Cancers
Head and neck cancers can develop in several areas, each with its own characteristics. Key subtypes include:
Lip & Oral Cavity Cancer: Affects the lips, tongue, gums, and lining of the mouth
Throat (Pharyngeal) Cancer: Includes nasopharyngeal (behind the nose), oropharyngeal (soft palate, base of tongue, tonsils), and hypopharyngeal (lower throat) cancers
Voice Box (Laryngeal) Cancer: Involves the vocal cords and surrounding tissues in the larynx
Paranasal Sinus & Nasal Cavity Cancer: Develops in the air-filled paranasal sinuses and nasal passages
Salivary Gland Cancer (rare): Affects the glands that produce saliva in the mouth and throat
Brain, eye, esophagus, thyroid, and skin cancers of the head and neck are classified separately from head and neck cancers.
Symptoms of Head & Neck Cancers
Symptoms of head and neck cancer vary based on the tumor’s location, and early detection is critical for effective treatment.
Oral Cavity: Swelling in the jaw, unexplained mouth pain or bleeding, white or red patches on gums or tongue, or a growth that causes denture discomfort.
Nasal Cavity & Sinuses: Recurring headaches, eye pain or swelling, persistent blocked sinuses, nosebleeds, upper tooth pain, or trouble with dentures.
Salivary Glands: Swelling under the chin or jaw, numbness or weakness in facial muscles, and ongoing pain in the face, chin, or neck.
Throat (Pharynx): Difficulty swallowing, persistent throat or neck pain, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, trouble speaking or breathing, and frequent headaches.
Voice Box (Larynx): Hoarseness, pain when swallowing, ear pain, and difficulty breathing or speaking.
If you’ve had these symptoms for over two weeks, it’s important to have them evaluated by a specialist to rule out serious complications. We offer same-week appointments and trusted second opinions so you can proceed with your treatment without delay.
Risk Factors of Head & Neck Cancers
Several factors can increase the risk of developing head and neck cancers, including:
- Tobacco and alcohol use (especially when combined)
- High-risk HPV infection (especially type 16)
- Occupational exposures (asbestos, wood dust, nickel)
- Prior radiation to the head or neck
- Epstein-Barr virus (linked to nasopharyngeal cancer)
- Family history or genetic disorders
Diagnosis of Head & Neck Cancers
At the Cancer Center of Southern California, we help you better understand your condition and guide you toward the most effective, personalized treatment plan.
Diagnosis may involve:
- Reviewing medical history, imaging, and pathology reports
- Relevant blood tests
- Biopsy to confirm cancer type and stage
- Additional imaging tests
- Expert team review for a comprehensive assessment
Treatment for Head & Neck Cancers
At the Cancer Center of Southern California, our expert oncology team carefully reviews the type, grade, and stage of your tumor, biopsy results, prior treatments, and overall progress to design a treatment plan tailored to your needs. You are fully involved in every step, discussing all options and potential side effects so you can make informed decisions.
Our team collaborates with leading surgeons, pathologists, and radiation oncologists from top institutions, including MD Anderson, Cedars-Sinai, Stanford, UCLA, USC, and St. John’s, ensuring you receive expert, multidisciplinary care.
Treatment plans are customized based on tumor type, location, and stage, and may include:
- Chemotherapy: It involves using powerful medications to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
- Radiation Therapy: It uses high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells.
- Surgery: It involves surgically removing the tumor and nearby tissue or lymph nodes to stop the cancer from spreading.
When standard treatments are not sufficient, we can offer advanced approaches and access to clinical trials, giving you options that may not be available elsewhere. Our approach means we can provide the most effective, cutting-edge care to improve outcomes for our patients.
Head & Neck Cancer Treatment in Southern California
Being diagnosed with head or neck cancer is overwhelming. That’s why we don’t just focus on the disease but on the person. Our oncologists are internationally known for their expertise in some of the most advanced drug therapeutics and solutions for the most favorable outcomes.
For appointments, please call us at 310-552-9999 or request an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions
When detected early, head and neck cancers can often be successfully treated. Depending on the type and stage, treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and a clinical trial.
Treatment options for head and neck cancer can temporarily or permanently affect speech, swallowing, and physical appearance, depending on the location and extent of the tumor. We can refer you to rehabilitation specialists to help maintain or restore function. Early intervention and supportive therapies can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life.
Pain and side effects are common during treatment but can be effectively managed. Your care team may recommend medications, topical treatments, nutritional adjustments, and supportive therapies like physical therapy or speech therapy.
Reconstructive surgery may be necessary if tumor removal affects appearance or essential functions like speech and swallowing. The type and extent of reconstruction depend on the location and size of the tumor.
Treatment duration varies based on cancer type, stage, and chosen therapies. Some patients may need several weeks of radiation or chemotherapy, while others may have shorter surgical recovery periods. Your care team will provide a personalized timeline and help you plan each step.
Not all patients with head and neck cancer need chemotherapy. It may be recommended to:
- Shrink large tumors before surgery
- Destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery
- Treat cancer that has spread beyond the primary site
- Manage advanced cancer symptoms when surgery isn’t an option
Your care team will tailor the approach based on your specific diagnosis and treatment goals.
Radiation therapy is not required for every case but may be used to:
- Treat early-stage cancers that haven’t spread
- Shrink tumors before surgery
- Destroy hidden cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence
- Manage symptoms of advanced cancer
We design treatment plans to balance effectiveness while minimizing impact on your daily life.
