Head/Neck Cancer

Overview

Head and neck cancers are a broad category of cancers that occur in the head and neck region.

Types of head and neck cancers include:

  • Floor of mouth cancer
  • Lip cancer
  • Mouth cancer
  • Nasal cavity cancer
  • Nasopharyngeal cancer
  • Paranasal sinus cancer
  • Parathyroid cancer
  • Salivary gland cancer
  • Soft palate cancer
  • Throat cancer
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Tongue cancer
  • Tonsil cancer

An estimated 55,000 new cases of oral cavity, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers occur in the United States every year, with an estimated 12,000 deaths from head and neck cancers occurring at the same time period. Alcohol and tobacco abuse are common etiologic risk factors for cancers of the head and neck. Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is now well accepted as a risk factor for the cancers of the throat. In fact, HPV-positive head and neck cancers are increasing in the United States; where as HPV-negative (alcohol and tobacco related) cancers are decreasing.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the type, location and size of your cancer. Treatment for head and neck cancers often involves surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Head/Neck Cancer Specialists

Sujal Shah, MD

Sujal Shah, MD

Sujal Shah, MD is a former assistant professor of medicine at the University of Texas at Austin and an associate instructor of clinical medicine at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in Hanover, New Hampshire. Dr. Shah completed his internal medicine residency and his hematology and oncology fellowship at Tulane University Hospital and Clinics in New Orleans.

Dr. Shah is currently seeing patients with different types of cancers, with a focus on lung cancer and head and neck cancers. Dr. Shah is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Sujal Shah.

Kelly Foster MD

Kelly Foster, MD

Dr. Foster is board certified in medical oncology, internal medicine and palliative medicine. She is currently seeing patients with all types of cancer, with a focus on breast and gastrointestinal cancers (gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, hepatobiliary, colon, anal). She is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Kelly Foster.

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