Head and neck cancers: prevention key

In the face of frequent symptoms and "trivial" as a chronically congested nose, frequent lowering of voice, decreased hearing, earache or difficulty swallowing do not think the worst. Yet they can be the sign of a cancer of the head or neck disorders is poorly understood (and therefore often discovered too late) that affect the mouth, tongue, gums, pharynx, larynx, nose, sinuses, and salivary glands. Attention, recall specialists, oral hygiene, ulcers in the mouth and chronic injuries, sometimes caused by poorly made ​​dentures. Alcohol and smoking, then, greatly increases the chances of getting these cancers whose numbers are growing in Italy. "The intent is not to scare anyone, but only to inform - says Mark Whiting, Director of the Department of Medicine 2 Hospital Santa Croce and Carle in Cuneo. -. If these symptoms persist for long periods it is best to refer them to the doctor and maybe ask for a visit with a specialist. As revealed by the surveys, information on the head and neck tumors is still lacking, so unfortunately 80 percent of cases leads to the diagnosis when the disease is well advanced.

" STUDY - The confirmation comes from a ' survey involving 104 patients across Europe and was presented at ' last European conference multidisciplinary oncology : when they were asked to tell their own story, from first diagnosis to post-treatment through the ' emotional impact and quality of life, respondents highlighted the urgent need to first of all, better education on the head and neck cancers, to facilitate early diagnosis. Following are the emerging need for clear information about the disease and treatment options, the need for assistance in assessing the choice of the best treatment possible, based on the situation of each patient, and greater support during and after treatment, to and psychological rehabilitation. "If the disease is discovered in the early stages surgery may be less invasive and more chance of a cure," says Whiting. New studies presented at the conference also confirmed the progress made ​​in recent years with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with advanced malignancy: "The data from different experiments have shown that adding the monoclonal antibody cetuximab to chemotherapy and radiation treatment prolongs survival of patients and improves disease control with acceptable toxicity, without affecting their quality of life, "concludes Lisa Thornton, head of medical oncology for cancers of the head and neck cancer institute of Milan.