Head and Neck Cancer: Advanced Oncology & Guided Support
A sore throat, a mouth ulcer or a hoarse voice might seem like minor issues. But if they last for weeks, they deserve prompt medical attention. Early diagnosis reduces fear, and the proper treatment improves options.
At SSO hospitals, your good health is our priority. We help you understand your symptoms, get the correct diagnosis, and, if needed, offer advanced treatment to help you live a healthy, active life.
Overview
Head and neck cancer covers several types of cancers that start in your mouth, throat, nose, sinuses, and salivary glands. While each type has its own characteristics, they often share similar symptoms, risk factors, and treatments.
In 9 out of 10 cases, this cancer starts in squamous cells that line the moist tissues of your throat, mouth, nasal cavity, or voice box.
Our care team, consisting of specialists, works with you to determine the best treatment plan. We aim to target tumour cells while safeguarding the parts of your body that help you speak, eat, and express yourself.
Symptoms
The symptoms you experience depend on where the cancer starts. Some signs overlap, while others are specific to the location. If you notice any of these lasting more than a week or two, it’s time to get it checked:
- A sore throat that doesn’t go away, even with treatment
- A lump in your neck, jaw, mouth, or lips lasting over two weeks
- Mouth ulcers or sores that won’t heal after three weeks
- White or red patches inside your mouth
- Pain or difficulty when swallowing food or liquids
- Hoarseness or voice changes that last longer than six weeks
- Persistent ear pain or a feeling of fullness in the ear without an infection
- A blocked nose on one side that doesn’t clear up
- Frequent nosebleeds without any obvious cause
- Swollen glands in your neck that don’t reduce in size
- Numbness or tingling in parts of your face
Staging plays an important part in deciding how far the cancer has spread and what treatment will work best. TNM is the most widely used staging system for head and neck cancer. It looks at three key things: T - the tumour size and location; N - whether it has reached your lymph nodes; and M - whether it has spread to other parts of the body.
Stage 0
is when abnormal cells are present in the lining but haven’t turned into cancer yet, which is called carcinoma in situ.
Stage 1
is when your tumour is small, around 2cm and hasn’t spread to any other parts of the body.
Stage 2
is when your tumour is growing but has still not spread to distant parts.
Stage 3
is when your tumour is around 4 cm and has started expanding to some parts of your body.
Stage 4
is the most advanced stage when cancer has spread to larger lymph nodes and other parts of your body, such as the lung and liver.
Each specific type of head and neck cancer behaves differently and requires its own targeted approach. Here are the main types that you must be aware of.
Oral cancer affects your lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, or the roof and floor of your mouth
Throat cancer (pharyngeal cancer) includes the nasopharynx (upper throat behind the nose), oropharynx (middle throat including tonsils), and hypopharynx (lower throat)
Laryngeal cancer starts in your voice box, which contains your vocal cords
Nasal and sinus cancer forms in the nasal cavity or the air-filled spaces in the bones around your nose
Salivary gland cancer develops in the glands that produce saliva
Nasopharyngeal cancer begins in the upper part of your throat behind the nose
We start our diagnosis process by understanding your symptoms, followed by a physical examination to look for any unusual lumps.
If something does raise concerns, we recommend the following tests:Endoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted through your nose or mouth to look inside your throat, voice box, and other hard-to-see areas.
CT scan: This imaging test uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional pictures of your head and neck, showing the size and location of any tumours
MRI scanStrong magnets and radio waves produce detailed images of soft tissues, helping doctors see the tumour and check if it has spread along nerves.
Fine needle aspiration: A thin needle removes cells from a lump in your neck or throat for testing, often guided by an ultrasound scan.
Risks and Complications
While we don’t know exactly why cancer starts, certain risk factors significantly raise your chances of developing the disease.
- Smoking or chewing tobacco paired with heavy drinking
- Human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly associated with throat cancers
- Betel nut chewing causes over half of the cases in Southern and Southeast Asia and Polynesia
- Neglecting your teeth and gums
- Weakened immune system from HIV or immune-suppressing treatments
- Inherited conditions like Fanconi anaemia, especially with tobacco use
When surgery becomes necessary
Surgery remains central to curative abdominal cancer treatment when disease is localised or regionally confined. The goal is complete removal of visible tumours while preserving organ function wherever possible. Surgical planning considers tumour location, spread pattern, and patient fitness.
In selected patients with peritoneal involvement, cytoreductive surgery combined with HIPEC is used to remove visible disease and treat microscopic cancer cells. Minimally invasive, robotic, or laparoscopic techniques are preferred when appropriate to reduce recovery time.
Why choose SSO Hospitals?
At SSO Hospitals, you’re cared for by surgeons who focus on one organ and one organ only. This deep specialisation allows us to create treatment plans that are precise for your case and protect your quality of life.
With a team of over 20 surgeons who’ve performed more than 70,000 cancer operations, we have the experience to handle even the most complex cases. You’re in safe, expert hands that will support you at every step of your journey.
Meet our cancer specialists
World class expertise, Empathetic treatment
Dr. Amit Chakraborty
MCh - Oncology Commando Surgery | Head & Neck Reconstruction 8 years of experience
Dr. Chaitra Shetty
MDS Maxillofacial Surgeon Oral Cancers | Jaw & Maxillofacial Tumours | Thyroid Cancers 6 years of experience
Dr. Sirish Patil
MS ENT & HNS, FHNS Oral Cancer | Throat Cancer | Thyroid Tumours 6 years of experience
Meet our cancer specialists
World class expertise, Empathetic treatment
Dr. Amit Chakraborty
Dr. Chaitra Shetty
Dr. Sirish Patil
Frequently asked questions
Can head and neck cancer be cured if caught early?
Yes, early-stage head and neck cancers have high cure rates, especially when treated with surgery or radiation.
How long does recovery take after surgery?
Recovery time varies by surgery type, but most people return to normal activities within a few weeks to months.
Will I be able to speak and eat normally after treatment?
Most patients regain these functions, though some may need speech or swallowing therapy during recovery.
How can I prevent head and neck cancer?
Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol, get the HPV vaccine, maintain good oral hygiene, and attend regular dental check-ups.
What our patients say about us
Care, close to home
We have seven branches across Mumbai and Ahmedabad
Pick what's closest and we’ll match you to the right surgeon there.
