Head, Face and Neck Cancer Treatment Hospital in Mumbai, India

The term head, face, and neck cancer include tumours arising in the mouth, salivary glands, throat, larynx, lymph nodes, voice-box, sinuses, nose, ears, and thyroid gland.

Different people have different signs and symptoms of the head, face, and neck cancer. Some of the very common ones include:

• Ulcers: Non-healing in the oral cavity
• A lump swelling or thickening in the areas of head and neck
• A patch of red or white colour on the tongue, gums, or lining of the mouth that does not heal
• Swelling in the jaw
• Pain or unusual bleeding in the mouth
• Problems with dentures
• Trouble in talking, chewing or swallowing food
• Difficulty in Breathing
• Persistent pain in the throat
• Pain in the ears or trouble hearing
• Bleeding from the Nose
• Hoarseness of voice
• Headaches
• Pain and swelling around the eyes
• Pain in the jaws.
• Loosening of teeth
• Loss of appetite / Weight loss

These are the very common symptoms that indicate head, face and neck cancer. Symptoms of cancer may vary according to the type of its origin.

At Nanavati Max Hospital, we offer you the most advanced diagnosis and treatment techniques for head, face, and neck cancer, irrespective of its complexity. Our doctors conduct many tests to diagnose cancers of Head, face and neck cancer. These tests include:
•    Physical examination
•    Ultrasound of the neck/CT/ MRI/ PET Scan
•    Biopsy
•    Laboratory tests 
•    Endoscopy
•    Molecular Testing
 

The team of highly experienced oncologists at Nanavati Max Hospital offers the most comprehensive personalized treatment to patients suffering from head, face, and neck cancer.
•    Surgical process: The surgery removes the cancerous tumour with some surrounding healthy tissues to eliminate cancer from the body. 
o    Excision: To remove a cancerous tumour with some surrounding healthy tissue, composite resections, and organ preservation surgeries, with or without lymph node dissections (removal of the cancerous lymph nodes in the neck). 
o    Reconstructive surgery: If major tissue removal is required such as removing the jaw, tongue, skin, or pharynx, then reconstructive is done to correct the anatomical defects. This is aimed at functional and cosmetic rehabilitation after major head and neck surgery.
o    Laser technology: Using advanced laser equipment, an early-stage tumour of the larynx and oral cavity can be effectively treated.
•    Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy is a very important tool used in the fight against can-cer and the treatment of as many as 50% of all cancer patients. Radiation can be given post-operatively and post-chemotherapy for local control and palliation of distant metastases. Radiation therapy is often given in locally advanced cancers where surgical intervention or chemotherapy is not possible. Radiation therapy is a safe & effective procedure where radioactive isotopes or high-energy photons, electrons or other particles are used to destroy the cancer cells. There are two types of radiation
o    External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT)
o    Brachytherapy or interstitial (HDR)
Radiation Oncologist is the specialised doctor for this treatment. Radiotherapy regimens or schedules and protocols are specific for different tumours and hence the time for treatment differs from case to case.
•    Chemotherapy: Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by kill-ing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy is usually given to a patient either by mouth, through injection, or infusion, depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. It is used to downsize the tumour to enable surgery and can also be used post-surgery in certain cases. Chemotherapy forms a major modality for inoperable, advanced, and widespread cancers for effective-control of the disease.
•    Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy works by targeting cancer’s specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival. These proteins and genes are found in cancer cells or other types of cells that are related to cancer growth, like blood vessel cells. Targeted therapy is used by itself or along with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.
•    Immunotherapy: Cancer immunotherapy is the artificial stimulation of the immune system to treat cancer, improving the immune system's natural ability to fight cancer. It is consid-ered as a fundamental application of the research of cancer immunology and are growing subspecialty of oncology.
 

Some of the major precautions one must follow include:

• All forms of Tobacco: Avoid the use of marijuana and excessive smoking.
• No Alcohol Consumption
• Use Sun Block: Use sunscreen and lip balm with an adequate sun protection factor (SPF) on a regular basis.
• Stay Protected from HPV Infection: Get the HPV vaccine and protect yourself against HPV infection. Practice safe sex.
• Avoid Staying Under Sun For Longer Duration: Avoid excessive exposure to direct sunlight.
• Wear Protective Gears While Working Under Hazardous Conditions: Wear a protective face mask if you get exposed to toxic fumes and dust for a longer duration.
• Take Care of Your Dentures: Taking proper care of your dentures is necessary, poorly fitted dentures can trap tobacco and alcohol’s cancer-causing substances as well as cause cancer by chronic inflammation and injury.
• Make Water Your Best Friend: Drink as much water as you can. It helps in removing the toxic substances from your body in the form of urine.

Dental Hygiene: Bad dental hygiene is one of the most common causesof oral cancer. Maintaining dental hygiene has been found beneficial in preventing oral malignancies.

Some of the major factors that lead to the head, face, and neck cancer include:

• Tobacco: Chewing tobacco is the single largest risk factor associated with head and neck cancer.
• Smoking Cigarette: People who smoke excessive cigarette are at increased risk of Head, Face & neck cancer.
• Alcohol: Immoderate drinking of alcohol drinking is the second largest risk factor for cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and oesophagus.
• Gender: Males are twice more susceptible for developing head and neck cancer as compared to females.
• Viral conditions: Certain kind of viruses such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), etc. are linked to head and neck cancer.
• Sun Exposure: Prolonged exposure to the sun (UV Rays) may increase the risk of oral and lip cancer.
• Radiation Exposure: Radiation exposure in childhood, particularly in the head and neck region, tends to increase the risk of developing secondary head and neck cancer.
• Malnutrition: Deficiencies of vitamins and nutrition may raise a patient’s risk of developing the diseas
• Vaping:Vaping e-cigarettes regularly may contribute to head & neck cancers.

Q1. What are the best hospitals for neck and head cancer treatment in Mumbai?

Ans. Nanavati Max Hospital in Mumbai is considered one of the best hospitals for neck and head cancer treatment in the city, offering a range of advanced treatments and experienced specialists.