Head & neck cancer
12 articles shown
Down to Your Last Levothyroxine Pill Before the Next Appointment — Why a Few Missed Days Usually Isn't an Emergency, and How to Handle a Gap
When you are about to miss a few days of long-term levothyroxine, its long half-life means a short gap usually is not an emergency; this explains why, plus practical steps like not doubling up on missed pills and arranging an early refill, and situations — pregnancy, recent dose changes, TSH suppression — that warrant extra caution.
Why Your Thyroid Hormone Dose Keeps Getting Readjusted After Thyroid Surgery — Managing Levels Through Pregnancy, Stress, and Everyday Changes
Thyroid hormone medication (levothyroxine) taken after thyroid removal or low thyroid function needs periodic dose adjustment. This article explains why levels change, how pregnancy raises the requirement, and the basics of taking and monitoring the medicine.
When You're Told Radiation Can't Simply Be Repeated for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer — Understanding Cumulative Dose, Normal-Tissue Tolerance, and What 'Palliative' Chemotherapy Means
An explainer on why re-irradiation and surgery are often difficult for recurrent head and neck cancer, covering cumulative radiation dose and normal-tissue tolerance, and what 'palliative' chemotherapy really means.
When the Numbers Climb Again on a Long-Used Thyroid Cancer Pill: Understanding Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Thyroid Cancer and What Targeted Therapy Does
An explainer on differentiated thyroid cancer that no longer responds to radioactive iodine and has spread to bone: what targeted multikinase-inhibitor therapy aims to do, how to understand 'progression' or a rising marker, and how next-line options and bone-metastasis care fit in.
Small Thyroid Cancer: Operate Now or Watch and Wait?
For a small (under 1 cm) papillary thyroid cancer, the choice between immediate surgery and active surveillance depends on age, tumor location, and other factors. Here are the considerations and questions to raise before deciding.
Why Dental Care Before and After Radiation Therapy Matters So Much
Radiation therapy to the head and neck affects the salivary glands and jawbone, raising the risk of tooth decay and bone necrosis. A dental check-up before treatment lets problem teeth be dealt with in advance; during treatment a soft toothbrush, fluoride and frequent sips of water help manage dry mouth; and after treatment, regular dental visits and sharing information with the medical team remain essential.
Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: Who It Is For and What to Expect
From the principle that immunotherapy releases the brakes on immune cells rather than attacking the cancer directly, to who it is mainly used for in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer, the meaning of PD-L1 testing, expected benefits and immune-related side effects, this article explains it all at a patient-friendly level.
Thyroid Cancer: A Simple Guide to Its Types and Treatment Flow
Thyroid cancer is divided into papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic types, and the course varies greatly by type. It is diagnosed with ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration, and low-risk cases may simply be watched. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment, with radioactive iodine, hormone replacement, or targeted therapy added as needed, and recurrence is tracked with blood levels and ultrasound even after surgery.
Oral Cancer Self-Check: A Mouth Ulcer, and When to See a Doctor
Most common mouth ulcers heal within days, but a sore that does not heal for more than two weeks, white or red patches that will not wipe away, a firm lump, or unexplained bleeding are signs that should raise the suspicion of oral cancer. This is a guide to checking the lips, gums, tongue, and inner cheeks in a mirror, and to the thresholds for seeing a doctor.
Is Thyroid Cancer a Head and Neck Cancer? Understanding Diagnosis and Treatment
Anatomically the thyroid sits in the neck, so in a broad sense it belongs to the head and neck region, but in practice thyroid cancer behaves so differently from cancers of the mouth, pharynx, and larynx that it is usually managed separately. Papillary and follicular cancers, which make up most cases, tend to grow slowly with a good outlook. Diagnosis relies on ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration, and treatment centers on surgery and radioactive iodine.
Why does the same throat cancer heal well for one person but not another - the story of HPV-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer
The course of oropharyngeal cancer differs greatly depending on whether HPV is involved. Even at the same stage, HPV-positive cases generally show better treatment response and survival, which is why staging is now classified separately for the two. Still, heavy long-term smoking erodes that advantage, and even HPV-negative cancers can have good outcomes when caught and treated early. The key is to confirm your tumor's HPV status and risk factors with your doctor.
Head and Neck Cancer: Where Exactly Does It Start? — From the Mouth to the Throat
Head and neck cancer is an umbrella term for cancers that arise in the various areas between the head and neck, such as the mouth, the pharynx (behind the nose, mouth, and throat), and the larynx. The first warning sign differs depending on where it develops: the mouth tends to show ulcers that won't heal, the larynx a hoarse voice, and the pharynx pain when swallowing or a lump in the neck. Beyond alcohol and tobacco, HPV-related cases are also on the rise, so it's wise to have a mouth sore, hoarseness, or a neck lump that lasts more than two weeks checked by a doctor.