Dr. Geraldine Luna

Consultant, Asian Cancer Institute | Asian Hospital and Medical Center

Cancer comes in many forms and types. It can develop in many parts of the body, including the head and neck. As there is a rising trend of new cases of younger patients and non-smokers being diagnosed with head and neck cancer, it’s only fitting to have a better understanding of how cancer affects these body parts.

When we speak of “head and neck”, we refer to tissues and organs within these sections, including the mouth, throat, nasal cavity, sinuses, salivary glands, and lymph nodes. There are also different types of cancers that could affect these organs, but the most common type is squamous cell carcinoma affecting surfaces such as the mouth, throat, and voice box.

Risk awareness: Could I be at risk of head and neck cancer?

There are some people who are more at risk of developing head and neck cancer. These include heavy tobacco users and alcoholic-beverage drinkers, those who have been exposed to certain chemicals and substances (e.g., asbestos, wood dust, paint fumes), and those with a history of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, not being part of these risk segments is not a guarantee that one can’t develop such cancers, making it important to become aware of the symptoms.

Symptoms awareness: could this be cancer?

Depending on where it attacks, symptoms can vary. Say it occurs in the throat or voice box, one can experience a persistent sore throat or hoarseness, a lump or swelling in the neck, or a change in voice. If it happens in the mouth, a patient may notice a sore that doesn’t heal, red and white patches on the lips, or tooth loss not attributable to decay. If it affects the nasal cavity and/or sinuses, patients could experience vision changes, nasal congestion, nosebleeds, watery eyes, post-nasal drip, or facial pain. While these symptoms can also occur with common health issues, it remains important to get checked to rule out cancer. We’ve heard this so many times: “Early detection is key in fighting cancer,” and it remains true to date.

Understanding the assessment: How can I know if this is cancer?

When patients visit us, we start with a physical assessment. If we need further diagnostics, we would recommend that the patient undergo imaging tests (e.g. ultrasound, CT scan, endoscopy, x-ray). There are also instances, depending on our evaluation, wherein we would recommend testing of tissues/cells taken from the area in question for further assessment and verification.

The number of thyroid cancer cases is increasing, and it is now being detected more frequently. At Asian Hospital, we are fortunate to have modern equipment that can detect cancer even in its early stages. Because of this, treatment can begin earlier, giving patients a better chance of recovery.

Processing the diagnosis: how can I move forward?

Part of our prayers as doctors is negative cancer tests. But as much as we want all our patients to get good news, we are not in control of these results. However, behind the cloud of a cancer diagnosis, as doctors, we know that there’s always a silver lining, ready to shine hope on our patients. With modern medicine and medical tools, cancer patients are given greater chances of successfully winning the battle.

Treatment is dependent on various factors, including but not limited to location, staging, patient’s age, and health condition. Among the possible regimens are surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy.

If your doctor recommends radiotherapy, the Asian Cancer Institute will offer a safer delivery of treatment through the Cyberknife technology starting July 2025. It delivers precise and accurate treatments, compared to the conventional system, minimizing side effects and reducing impact on healthy tissues. One of the amazing features of Cyberknife is its motion adaptive technology – even if the patient moves intentionally or unintentionally (e.g. breathing, coughing), the radiation will only be delivered to the tracked tumor. There’s no need to restrict the patient or remind them to hold their breath or avoid any movements. The technology is also beneficial for patients with inoperable or complicated cases where surgery is not an option.

As a medical practitioner, the existence of this technology is such a delight as it not only provides hope for healing but also the hope for a comfortable life whilst getting treatment. It means we have lesser side effects to think of– like affecting other healthy organs of our patients when undergoing radiotherapy treatment.

If you would like to know more about how our medical professionals can help in your journey to better health, call our hotline at 8771 9000 local 5842 or email [email protected]. You can also follow the social media pages of Asian Hospital and Medical Center.