▶ Kyungho Oh, Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Ansan Hospital
Oh Gyeong-ho, professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Korea University Ansan Hospital, said, “Recently, the number of head and neck cancers associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) is increasing, so it is necessary to prepare countermeasures. ” [고려대 안산병원 제공]
Head and neck cancer is a general term for cancers that occur between the head and the collarbone, that is, inside and outside the head, face and neck, excluding the brain and eyes. Oral cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, larynx cancer, lower pharynx cancer, sinus cancer, nasal cancer, salivary gland cancer, thyroid cancer, etc. The head and neck area is the route through which all nerves from the head, except the spinal nerves, pass, and the route through which the blood vessels from the heart pass towards the head. Although important nerves and blood vessels pass through delicately, the neck space except for the spine and trachea is very narrow, so head and neck cancer requires very sophisticated surgery. I met Oh Kyung-ho, a professor in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Korea University Ansan Hospital. Professor Oh said, “Recently, oropharyngeal cancer (cancer of the tonsils, root of the tongue, and uvula) associated with HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which causes cervical cancer, is on the rise, so countermeasures need to be prepared.”
-The medical department known as ‘head and neck surgery’ is unfamiliar to the public.
Head and neck surgery is a specialized medical department that treats diseases that occur in a wide range of areas (excluding the nose and ears) from the lower part of the brain to the upper part of the chest in the field of otolaryngology, internally and surgically. It applies to all diseases that occur in the throat, such as the mouth, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, bronchi, esophagus, cervix, and thyroid gland.
There is a close link between head and neck cancer and smoking. Carcinogens produced when smoking start in the mouth and enter the lungs through the pharynx and larynx, increasing the risk of cancer in all open areas. If you get cancer while smoking, the course (prognosis) is very poor, and alcohol is also a major risk factor for cancer.
Head and neck cancers linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) are also on the rise. HPV is a virus that causes cervical cancer, etc., and is identified as the main cause of oropharyngeal cancer, a type of head and neck cancer.
HPV-related head and neck cancer is increasing rapidly in the United States and Europe. In the case of oropharyngeal cancer, men are more than four times more likely to get the HPV vaccine than women, so men also get the HPV vaccine.
– When talking about the symptoms of head and neck cancer.
As the head and neck area is very wide, like the oral cavity and pharynx, the initial symptoms are also varied. In order to notice the symptoms early, you need to carefully observe changes in your body and have regular check-ups related to head and neck cancer.
Oral cancer can cause lumps on the lips, gums, or tongue, long-term pain, or discomfort when chewing or swallowing food. Cancer of the tongue (舌癌) is the most common oral cancer, and should be suspected if ulcers occur on the tongue and the pain is severe. Also, if you feel a lump around your ear or under your chin, it could be salivary gland cancer.
When it comes into contact with nasopharyngeal cancer, something like a lump in the throat can be felt, or when the cancer develops, nasal congestion and bleeding can occur. Laryngeal cancer is relatively easy to notice the symptoms, but it can be suspected when the hoarse voice worsens for several weeks to several months. If tremors continue for more than two weeks after the appearance, and if you feel a foreign body in your throat or have difficulty swallowing food, you must visit a hospital.
– Head and neck cancer treatment is difficult.
Head and neck cancer is a cancer that develops in the organs of breathing, eating and speech. Even if the operation goes well, the patient may not be able to eat properly, or the facial deformity or defect may be large, making it difficult to carry out daily activities. For head and neck cancer, as with other cancers, extensive excision of the tumor is the principle.
-How does Korea University Ansan Hospital treat head and neck cancer?
For over 20 years, he has been operating a multidisciplinary treatment system specializing in the treatment of head and neck cancer. Unlike other cancer surgeries, head and neck cancer has been working organically for a long time because efforts must be made to preserve the function of the head and neck.
Before surgery, medical staff from related departments such as otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, radiation oncology, oncology, radiology, pathology, and nuclear medicine gather to discuss the treatment plan. In addition to surgery, various treatment options such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy are combined to establish an optimal treatment strategy and discuss rehabilitation.
Daeik Kwon Medical Specialist Reporter >
