title: Head and neck cancer: early detection.
abstract: Head and neck cancers are discussed in four categories: oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and salivary glands. The incidence of head and neck cancers varies with the site of the lesion and ranges from the most common area of involvement, the lip, to those of the nasopharynx, which are extremely rare. The exact etiology of most of these malignancies has not been determined, but an association has been made with many factors, such as immune impairment, environmental (tobacco, chemical, radiation), and genetic. With few exceptions, the cure rate is excellent when these lesions are diagnosed early and initially eradicated completely. Early signs and symptoms are discussed, and guidelines are given for performing examinations to detect early cancers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Oral Roberts University School of Medicine, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology