Physical Exam:

In the physical exam, the doctor checks the head and neck and its close area carefully. The visual inspection of the oral and nasal cavities, neck, throat, and tongue using a small mirror and/or lights is the main thing of this examination.  The doctor tries to feel  any kind of lump on the neck, lips, gums, and cheeks. Sometimes

The diagnostic tests and procedures of head and neck cancers are as follows:

Endoscopy:

In this advanced method, the doctor used the endcoscope , a thin, lighted tube, to check the inside body areas.  There are different types of endoscope depends on the area that has to be examined by the physician .For example esophagoscope is used for the esophagus check up and this tube is inserted through mouth while a laryngoscope is employed for larynx examination and it is also inserted via mouth.

Laboratory test:

This includes the thorough check up of blood, urine, or other substances samples that are taken from the patient’s body.

X-rays:

This method is used to get the detailed images of areas inside the head and neck on film and after that these images are examine by the doctors

CT scan:

This is an advanced imaging test in which the series of detailed pictures of areas inside the head and neck are produced by a computer connected with the x-ray machine.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging:

This is another imaging test through which the cross-sectional images of head and neck area are created with the mean of strong magnet that is linked with computer.

PET scan (positron Emission Tomography):

In this scanning a radioactive material is injected to the head and neck area and after a few minutes this tracer is collected to that area. A three-dimensional image is created in which the area that is invaded by cancerous cells appears darker than that of other area.

Biopsy:

It includes the removal of a small amount of tissue as a sample that is studied by a pathologist under a microscope to make a diagnosis

You may get the detailed introduction of head and neck cancer at this page , what is head and neck cancer?

Risk factors are thought to be the main causes of head and neck cancers:

Alcohol and tobacco use. Chewing of tobacco is particularly suspected to be the main cause. This is more so in oral cavity cancers. The risk of damage to inner lip, toung and floor of the mouth is high, which may lead to cell mutations or to other diseases which if left untreated, may lead to oral cavity cancer.

Drug use (marijuana). This is dangerous to the nasopharynx and the lungs as well. The heavy chemicals in marijuana can cause damage to the lining cells leading to cell carcinoma.

Exposure to textile fibre.: This is common among textile factory workers, especially those without protective gear as inhaling such fibre may eventually lead to blockage of air waves  leading to insufficient supply of oxygen in the body. This can have devastating effects including damage to cells and eventually to cancer.

Woodworking: Woodworking without any protective gear is also dangerous as wood dust not only contain fibre but different chemicals that may alter the proper functioning of a particular organ, leading to tumours forming.

Excessive eating of red meat is believed to be a cause of a number of health problems including head and neck cancers. Heredity: This may be due to the fact that a particular DNA having been destroyed, the down line offspring inherits the trait.

Over exposure to UV rays, especially of the sun, leading to damage to the cells of the skin, which may form lesions and eventually cancer.

Diet: Lack of essential vitamins and nutrients may lead to mutations in the skin cells.

Air Pollution.:Inhaling poisonous chemicals (especially those living near factories) can be dangerous as the chemicals can lead to different types of cancers including head and neck cancers. Here you can also see what is head and neck cancer.

There are several types of head and neck cancers:  Oral cavity cancer. The inner lip,toung and floor of the mouth may contain squamous cell cancers, refered to as cancers of the oral cavity. Oral cavity cancers are closely associated with the chewing of tobacco and heavy alcohol. Treatment for oral cavity cancers is in most cases through surgery such as maxillectomy, mandibulectomy, and glossectomy. Nasopharynx cancer. Nasopharyngeal cancer emanates from the nasopharynx, where nasal cavities connect with the upper part of the throat. Oropharynx cancer. These cancers do start at the middle part of the throat (oropharynx). Hypopharynx cancer. These cancers spread rapidly due to the extensive lymphatic network around the larynx  Laryngeal cancer. These normaly start in the larynx, also known as voice box. This type of cancer is strongly associated with tobacco smoking. This can be treated through surgery which includes partial laryngectomy (partial removal of larynx) or total laryngectomy, in which case the victim will have to learn how to speak again through intensive speech therapy.  Trachea cancer. This is rare but is normaly similar to head and neck cancer.

These types of cancers do present themselves through different signs: Enlarged lymph glands in the neck, slurring of speech, a hoarse voice, a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing food, change in diet or weight loss, mouth ulcers, neck pain, sinus congestion, a lump on the lip, mouth or gums.

Several risk factors are associated with the occurrence of head and neck cancers: Alcohol and tobacco use.Drug use (marijuana) Exposure to textile fibre Woodworking. Excessive eating of red meat Heredity.

Avoidance of recognised risk factors is a sure way of preventing any of the the head and neck cancers. Regular dental examinations may identify pre-cancerous lesions in the oral cavity. When diagnosed early, oral, head and neck cancers can be treated more easily and the chances of survival increase tremendously.

In general, treatment of head and neck cancers take the form of surgery, radiation,chemptherapy, and photodynamic therapy, depending on the type of cancer and health condition of the victim. It is worth noting that the treatments for throat cancer can be harmful to the digestive system as well as other body systems. Radiation therapy can lead to nausea and vomiting, which can deprive a body of vital fluids (although these may be obtained through intravenous fluids if necessary). Frequent vomiting can lead to an electrolyte imbalance which has serious consequences for the proper functioning of the heart. Frequent vomiting can also upset the balance of stomach acids.