Cancers & Tumors

Head & Neck Cancers & Tumors Treated

• Laryngeal/Pharyngeal Cancer

  Laryngeal cancer occurs in the larynx — the area of your throat between the base of the tongue and the trachea (windpipe) — and symptoms often include throat pain, ear pain, cough, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and a lump in the throat.

  Pharyngeal cancer is found in the pharynx — behind the mouth and nasal cavity — and its symptoms include facial pain, swelling in the neck, nosebleeds or congestion, headaches, and changes in hearing.

  Diagnosis for either of these throat cancers requires a physical exam and a tissue biopsy of the impacted tissue. One of our specially-trained head and throat cancer specialists may also recommend a CT scan, MRI, or PET scan depending on the severity and spread of the disease.

  Treatment of laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer will vary based on the individual, including the stage of cancer, the size and location of the tumor, and the degree to which it impacts your daily life. Common treatments for both of these cancers include radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

• Pituitary Tumors

  Unlike most other head and neck cancers and tumors, pituitary tumors are often benign or noncancerous. But due to their location in the pituitary gland — in the middle of the brain behind the nose — if left unmonitored or untreated, they can cause other glands to over or underproduce hormones impacting your overall health.

  At UConn Health, we provide multidisciplinary care for treating your pituitary tumors. Our ENT specialists work with our nationally recognized neurosurgeons to remove the pituitary tumor through your nose. This minimally invasive procedure, also called an endoscopic/microscopic transnasal resection, means you have a shorter recovery time, and can return to your daily activities sooner. We also work with UConn Health’s expert endocrinologists and ophthalmologists to diagnose and manage pituitary tumors that don’t require surgical removal.

• Salivary Gland Cancer

  Your salivary glands are found in your mouth, cheeks, lips, and throat, and help with the production of spit, which helps keep your mouth moist, teeth healthy, and helps break down food when you eat. Salivary gland cancer is rare, can start in any of your salivary glands – with most occurring in the parotid glands, which sit in front of your ears – and mostly benign or noncancerous.

  If you have any of the following symptoms, our ENT head and neck cancer specialists will examine you for potential salivary gland cancer: difficulty swallowing, numbness or muscle weakness in the face, and a lump in the vicinity of the jaw. If salivary gland cancer is suspected, your doctor will physically examine the impacted area, and then order a biopsy and/or imaging as needed. For patients who are diagnosed with salivary gland cancer, treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Your doctor will help you decide which option is best for your unique needs.

• Thyroid/Parathyroid Disease & Cancer

  The American Thyroid Association estimates that around 12% of the U.S. population will face issues with their thyroid — the small butterfly shaped gland in your throat that controls hormone levels throughout your body — at some point in time during their life, with around 60% of those impacted going undiagnosed. Thyroid diseases can be benign, such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Grave’s disease, and multinodular goiter, or cancerous, including papillary and follicular thyroid cancer.

  Parathyroid disease occurs when the four parathyroid glands — located on the back of the thyroid gland and in your jaw and neck — produce too little or too much PHT hormone, which impacts how calcium reaches your bones from your blood. If left untreated, parathyroid disease can lead to osteoporosis, kidney stones, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and fatigue.

  Fortunately, the ENT surgeons at UConn Health have the expertise and skills to help you successfully manage both thyroid and parathyroid disease, including a multidisciplinary team with excellent outcomes and a high surgical volume. Helping you recover more easily and return to your daily life sooner.

• Head & Neck Cancer

  Each year, tens of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with cancer of the head or neck. These tumors account for up to 5 percent of all cancers in the U.S. A cancer diagnosis can be scary and raise many questions, but your doctor can help put your mind at ease by discussing the available treatment options, benefits, and risks.

  Most head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, malignant growths that begin in the flat squamous cells that form the inner lining of the head and neck. A tumor limited to this layer of cells is usually called carcinoma in situ. A tumor that grows beyond the squamous cells and moves into deeper tissues is called invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The most common locations of head and neck cancers include oral cancer (mouth/tongue), larynx (voice box), and pharynx (throat).

  Most cancers of the head and neck can be cured, especially if they are found early. Treatment varies according to the type, location, and extent of the cancer and often includes a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. UConn head and neck cancer specialists tailor treatment plans to their patients' needs, taking into account the type of cancer, the age of the individual, the degree to which the cancer has spread, and the overall health of the patient.