Head and Neck Tumors

The term “head and neck tumors” refers to a group of tumors that develop on the skin and mucous membranes of the head and neck region. Tumors can also originate in the salivary glands, facial sinuses, muscles, and nerves of the head and neck region, but these are significantly less common. The most common sites are the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, nose and its paranasal sinuses, and the salivary glands.

The doctors at the Latvian Microsurgery Center specialize specifically in the surgical treatment of oral cavity tumors.

Clinical presentation

Oral cancer is characterized by changes in the oral mucosa, tissue thickening, a palpable mass, and an ulcer on the oral mucosa. A characteristic feature of oral cancer is that it is painless in its early stages. Therefore, any mouth sores that do not heal within two weeks should undergo a biopsy to rule out oral cancer.

Although oral cancer can develop in any part of the mouth, the most common site where it is diagnosed is the tongue (up to 90%). Although the most common causes are smoking and alcohol consumption, oral hygiene, as well as a lack of or inadequate dental care, also play a significant role.

Diagnostics

In cases where oral cancer is suspected, a biopsy is necessary. If the diagnosis is confirmed, it is important to evaluate the condition of the neck lymph nodes and lungs to rule out metastasis. Ultrasound of the neck, computed tomography (CT) scans of the head, neck, and lungs, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are widely used to rule out metastatic disease.

Treatment

The extent and depth of the cancer’s spread at the affected site play a decisive role in the selection of treatment methods and the course of treatment for oral cancer. The primary treatment method for oral cancer is surgery. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are adjunctive treatments that are often combined with surgery. In the early stages, simple excision (removal) of the tumor is sufficient. In later stages, the tumor and cervical lymph nodes are removed. In these cases, tissue reconstruction is necessary, which may be limited to soft tissue reconstruction using local tissues or, if the tumor has invaded adjacent tissues, involve reconstruction of both soft tissue and bony structures. In particularly complex cases, facial reconstruction may be performed using complex tissue grafts.

At the Latvian Microsurgery Center, it is possible to perform microsurgical excision of tumors under optical magnification, with microscopic examination of the resection margins during the procedure, as well as reconstructive and/or plastic surgery performed at the end of the procedure. If necessary, tissue grafts from various other parts of the body can be performed using microsurgical techniques.

Forecast

For patients diagnosed with oral cancer in its early stages, the five-year survival rate is as high as 80%; while for patients with oral cancer in the late stages, the five-year survival rate is 42%. Unfortunately, for patients who do not receive treatment, the five-year survival rate is only 12%.