Head and Neck

Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancers encompass several different diseases that can affect the mouth, nose, throat and other surrounding areas. Over 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year, as these diseases account for 3 to 5 percent of all cancers. Many cases of head and neck cancer can be prevented through life changes.

Several different types of cancer can affect the areas of the head and neck. Most begin in the lining of moist, mucosal surfaces such as the mouth, nose and throat. The cells in the lining are known as squamous cells, and may therefore be affected by squamous cell carcinomas. The different types of cancer associated with the head and neck include:

Oral cavity
Salivary glands
Nasal cavitiy
Pharynx (including nasopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx)
Larynx
Lymph nodes

Head and neck cancers are most often caused by tobacco and alcohol use, especially cancer of the oral cavity and larynx. Other factors that may lead to cancer include sun exposure, HPV, and radiation exposure. Tobacco use is linked to 85 percent of head and neck cancers.

Fortunately, many people with head and neck cancers experience symptoms right away that lead to an early diagnosis of the condition. Symptoms of head and neck cancers vary depending on the type of cancer, but may include:

Lump in the neck
Hoarseness or other change in the voice
Growth in the mouth
Blood in saliva
Difficulty swallowing
Earache
New or changed growths on skin

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, your doctor may perform an endoscopy, blood and urine test, imaging test and biopsy, along with a complete physical examination. Treatment for these cancers depends on the type and location of the tumor, as well as the patient's age and overall health. Treatment often includes surgery to remove the cancer, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. It is important to discuss treatment options with your doctors, as certain methods may have long-term effects on the way you look, talk, eat or breathe. Making healthy life changes, including avoiding smoking and alcohol use, will help prevent the disease from recurring, as well as reduce the risk for other diseases.

Hoarseness

Abnormal changes in the voice are called "hoarseness" or "dysphonia". When hoarse, the voice may sound breathy, raspy, strained, or show changes in volume or pitch (depending on how high or low the voice is). Voice changes are related to disorders in the sound-producing parts (vocal folds) of the voice box (larynx). While breathing, the vocal folds remain apart. When speaking or singing, they come together, and as air leaves the lungs, they vibrate, producing sound. Swelling or lumps on the vocal folds hinder vibration, altering voice quality, volume, and pitch.

If you would like to know more about Hoarseness, please click here.

Facial Plastic Surgery

Facial plastic surgeons specialize in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to correct and improve the appearance and function of structures in the face, head and neck. They are usually board-certified in otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) and have undergone five to six years of postgraduate training, including one year in general surgery and four or more in facial plastic surgery and head and neck surgery.

Whether you want to correct a deformity, remove a birthmark, straighten a crooked nose, flatten prominent ears, or restore a youthful lift to a sagging forehead, you should choose a facial plastic surgeon with excellent credentials. A qualified, experienced facial plastic surgeon will ensure that procedures are performed safely and result in a natural-looking appearance – not a "pulled-tight" look.

Facial plastic surgery and other related procedures such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels and liposuction can not only help you look better, they can help you feel better as well. For more information, visit the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery website at www.aafprs.org.

Thyroid Surgery

Located in the neck just below the larynx, the thyroid gland regulates your body's energy levels and releases hormones that regulate your metabolism. Thyroid hormones influence virtually every organ system in the body, telling organs how fast or slow they should work. Thyroid hormones also regulate the consumption of oxygen and the production of heat.

Thyroid surgery is used to treat a variety of thyroid conditions such as thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules, and hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland).

Reasons for Having Thyroid Surgery

Hyperthyroidism -Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, speeding up the body's metabolism. Symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Rapid heartbeat
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea or frequent bowel movements
- Irritability and anxiety
- Intolerance to heat and increased sweating
- Vision problems
- Menstrual irregularities
- Infertility

Hyperthyroidism is usually treated with anti-thyroid medication, which decreases the production of thyroid hormone in the body, and/or beta-blockers, which help control symptoms. Another medication, radioactive iodine, acts by breaking down the thyroid.

If hyperthyroidism cannot be treated with medication, surgery is recommended.

Thyroid Nodules - A thyroid nodule is a small swelling or lump in the thyroid gland and is fairly common. These nodules are either a growth of thyroid tissue or a fluid-filled cyst. Surgery is needed if the thyroid nodule is large enough to cause problems with breathing or swallowing. If a nodule is fluid-filled, your doctor may be able to drain it. However, if the nodule returns after drainage, it may have to be surgically removed.
Thyroid Cancer – If cancer is present or suspected in the thyroid, surgery is a must. This is often accompanied by follow-up treatment with radioactive iodine to prevent the cancer from returning.

Types of Thyroid Surgery

Depending on the type of surgery, you may need to have all or part of the thyroid removed.

Biopsy or Lumpectomy - Only a small part of the thyroid gland is removed.
Lobectomy - If nodules are located in only one lobe of the thyroid, your surgeon will remove that lobe alone. With a lobectomy you may also need an isthmectomy, in which the narrow band of tissue (isthmus) that connects the two lobes is also removed.
Subtotal (near-total) Thyroidectomy - Removal of one complete lobe, the isthmus, and part of the second lobe.
Total Thyroidectomy – Removal of the entire gland (both lobes and the isthmus) and the lymph nodes surrounding the gland.

If you are interested in learning more about our Head & Neck Surgery, call 616-942-0380 or click here to contact us.

"I was so pleased with my experience at Comprehensive ENT. As a mom, it's always a little nerve wracking to take my kids to a new doctor, but everyone at the office, from the front desk staff to the physicians to the audiologists were wonderful - very professional but also very child friendly. My son and daughter seemed to feel very comfortable with the ear and throat exam given by Dr. Behler, and they loved sitting in the special chair. I would definitely recommend this practice to other parents!

- Ashley
East Grand Rapids, MI

"I am very impressed with the responses I receive from Comprehensive ENT when referring patients for evaluation. I always receive a thorough letter that clearly outlines the problem and a plan for treatment. And I always receive it in a timely manner! It is so important for me, as a primary care physician, to be kept in the loop after referring a patient to a subspecialist. My patients are also always pleased with the care they get, AND it has impressed them that I am so well informed of the plan so quickly after the initial visit.

- Referring Internal Medicine Specialist