
Genomics, mutations, and treatment options for Head & Neck Cancer
Studying genetic changes in cancer cells may be helpful in developing better treatments for head and neck cancer
Apr 27, 2021
Created With SupportAlex Fulton has been working in the wellness field for more than 20 years. She has written extensively about integrative medicine, herbalism, supplements and other topics related to holistic health. Alex also focuses on issues related to women's health, from menstruation to menopause. She has collaborated with physicians, midwives and functional medicine practitioners to promote natural approaches to health care for women. She has a BA in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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Studying genetic changes in cancer cells may be helpful in developing better treatments for head and neck cancer
Reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Grandis
Head and neck cancers account for about 4% of cancers in the U.S.
Head and neck cancers include cancers in the:
lips
mouth
voice box
throat
Risk factors for head and neck cancer include:
smoking or other tobacco use
drinking alcohol
human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
About 70% of oropharyngeal cancers, one type of head and neck cancer, are caused by HPV
(oropharynx = back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils)
Did you know? The HPV vaccine protects against the strains of HPV that cause oropharyngeal cancer.
Head and neck cancer and genetics
All cancers begin when genes inside a cell mutate or change.
Cancer usually comes from multiple mutations over a lifetime, not a single one.
Researchers are studying genetic changes in cancer cells. This study is called cancer genomics.
The study of head and neck cancer genomics is geared toward finding more effective treatments.
mutation = when genes inside a cell change
cancer genomics = comparing the DNA of cancer cells to normal cells
New approaches to treatment
Thanks to genomics, innovative treatments for head and neck cancer are being developed. These include:
Precision medicine, the use of targeted therapies for a person’s specific head and neck cancer
Immunotherapy, treatments that activate the immune system to attack head and neck cancer cells
immunotherapy = activating the immune system to attack cancer cells
Early detection is key to surviving head and neck cancer.
Look for:
a mouth sore that won’t heal
a lump in the neck, jaw or mouth
pain or weakness in the face
neck pain
difficulty moving the jaw
difficulty swallowing
speech problems
ear pain or hearing loss
trouble breathing
a sore throat that doesn’t go away
white or red patches in the mouth or throat
weight loss
This resource was created with support from Merck.