Head and neck cancers constitute one of the most common cancer groups among all cancers, and roughly one out of every hundred individuals in the community will develop this cancer at some point in their lives. Depending on the stage of cancer, it can be treated, and various medical disciplines, including plastic surgery, otolaryngology, oncology, radiology, pathology, participate in the treatment. However, a more important and not to be forgotten fact is that head and neck cancers are preventable.

What Are Head and Neck Cancers?

Cancers originating from the moist mucous surface covering the inside of the head and neck and, more rarely, from the salivary glands are collectively referred to as head and neck cancers.

It is possible to categorize head and neck cancers into subgroups according to their locations:

• Oral cavity: Consists of lips, tongue, gums, palate, and cheeks.
• Throat: A tube structure that extends from behind the nose to the esophagus.
• Larynx: An organ located in the lower part of the throat, including the vocal cords.
• Nose and paranasal sinuses: Describes the nasal cavity and small air cavities surrounding it.
• Salivary glands: The major salivary glands are located at the base of the mouth and in front of the ears.

Treatment for head and neck cancers is personalized to the patient and depends on many factors. These factors primarily include the location, spread, and size of the tumor, the stage of cancer, the patient's age, and general health condition.

Treatment methods for head and neck cancers can be listed as surgery, radiation therapy (radiotherapy), drug therapy (chemotherapy). Often, these treatment methods are not used alone, and a treatment plan is created where methods complement each other.

All cancer treatments will cause changes in the patient's quality of life at the expense of curing the patient of the disease. Although different treatment options may lead to different side effects, treating cancer in its early stages causes minimal complications and side effects, while detecting and treating cancer in its advanced stages can significantly affect the quality of life negatively.

An important part of surgical treatment in head and neck cancers is the reconstruction, which involves filling the void left by removed diseased bone and soft tissues and reshaping and restoring tissues, and this falls within the realm of reconstructive plastic surgery.

Reconstruction can range from simple skin patches taken from the patient's own tissue to free composite tissue transplants, and in some special cases, the use of synthetic materials and prosthetics may also be considered. Reconstruction is planned taking into account many factors such as the size of the disease, the functions of the tissues and organs to be removed, and the overall condition of the patient.

During the radiation therapy process and afterwards, redness, discomfort, and pain may occur. Patients may experience changes in taste and smell, as well as difficulty swallowing and feeding. There may be skin symptoms, and temporary or permanent restrictions in jaw opening may occur.

Chemotherapy may be involved in the treatment process of head and neck cancers. Common side effects include fatigue, general or regional pain, dry mouth, throat pain, changes in bowel habits, nausea, and vomiting.

Patients should discuss the treatment process with their doctor and obtain information about how they may appear, speak, eat, and breathe after treatment. The need for rehabilitation for patients should not be overlooked.