Types of Otolaryngologic Tumors

Otolaryngologic cancers include tumors of the head and neck region, including those in the oral cavity, voice box, eating passages, nose and sinuses, salivary glands, thyroid, and skin cancers on the face, scalp and neck.

Below, we take a deeper look at these types of tumors and include causes, common symptoms, as well as some treatment options.

Thyroid Gland

What is it?

The thyroid is a gland located at the front of the neck, at the base of the throat. Thyroid cancer occurs when abnormal cells begin to grow in your thyroid gland. A biopsy of your thyroid gland can be conducted by your physician to determine if the growth in cancerous or benign.

Common Causes

• Radiation exposure
• Genetics

Symptoms

• Lump or swelling in neck
• Trouble swallowing
• Trouble breathing/ constant wheezing
• Frequent cough

Treatment Options

• Surgery
• Radioactive iodine treatment
• Thyroid hormone therapy
• External beam radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy

Salivary Glands

What are they?

Salivary glands are located throughout you mouth and throat to make saliva, which aids in digestion and keeps your mouth moist. Salivary gland cancer most commonly occurs in the parotid gland, which is located just in front of the ear.

Common Causes

• It’s not clear what causes salivary gland cancer. Doctors know salivary gland cancer occurs when some cells in a salivary gland develop mutations in their DNA.

Symptoms

• Lump/swelling near jaw, neck, or mouth
• Numbness in part of face
• Muscle weakness
• Persistent pain in area of salivary gland

Treatment Options

• Stage I: Surgery to remove tumor
• Stage II: Surgery including removal of lymph nodes in your neck followed by radiation therapy
• Stage III: Extensive surgery (removal of the gland containing the tumor, nearby tissues, and all lymph nodes in your neck on the same side). Also, chemotherapy
• Stage IV: Cure usually not possible. Radiation therapy to the head and neck to attempt to shrink tumor and relieve pain.

Laryngeal

What is it?

The larynx is a part of the throat, between the base of the tongue and the trachea; this includes your vocal cords. Laryngeal cancer occurs when cancerous (malignant) cells form on the tissues of the larynx, or voice box.

Common Causes

• Tobacco use
• Alcohol consumption

Symptoms

• Persistent cough or sore throat
• Trouble swallowing
• Ear pain
• Lump in neck or throat
• Change in vocal quality

Treatment Options

• Radiation therapy
• Surgery
• Chemotherapy

Nasal Cavity and Sinus

What is it?

Nasal cavity and sinus tumors are rare, making up only about three percent of tumors in the upper respiratory tract.

Causes

• No direct cause known
• Cigarette smoking has been linked to squamous cell cancer (skin cancer) which can produce malignant cells.

Symptoms

• Mucous discharge
• Swelling in cheek or forehead
• Pressure on eyes, affecting vision
• Numbness or tingling on face

Treatment Options

• Surgery
• Radiation
• Combination therapy (surgery, radiation, and chemo therapies)

Temporal Bone

What is it?

The temporal bone is located at the base and sides of the skull and directly underneath the temple, near the ear. Cancers of the ear usually begin as skin cancer. Frequent sun exposure may lead to skin cancers such as squamous cell cancer, which can then spread through to the ear and temporal bone.

Causes

• Cancers of the skin can produce malignant cells, resulting in temporal bone cancer
• Excessive sun exposure

Symptoms

• Pressure on ear drum, affecting hearing
• Ear pain
• Bleeding or drainage from ear

Treatment Options

• Sleeve Resection (removal and reconstruction of ear canal, bone, and eardrum)
• Lateral Temporal Bone Resection (may affect hearing)
• Radical Temporal Bone Resection (remove your ear canal, middle ear and temporal bone. Usually requires help from a neurosurgeon).

Advanced Cutaneous

What is it?

Cutaneous (skin) cancer is a form cancer that develops primarily in areas that receive the most sun exposure, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs. Luckily, skin cancer is nearly 100% curable if identified and treated in a timely manner.

Causes

• Excessive sun exposure
• Tanning bed radiation

Symptoms

• New/unfamiliar moles
• Discolored/misshaped lesions
• Scaly, crusty surface

Treatment Options

• Cryosurgery (freezing)
• Electrodesiccation and curettage (burning)
• Grafting
• Laser therapy

Numbers to Know

• Approximately 75% of head and neck cancers are a result of tobacco and alcohol use.
• Head and neck cancers account for about 3% of all cancers in the U.S.
• Men are nearly twice as likely to develop head and neck cancers than women.
• Around 60,000 people are diagnosed with a head and neck cancer each year.
• 97.7% of people diagnosed with thyroid cancer survive.

Bottom Line

Although many of these cancers are extremely rare, they are rarely talked about. Knowing the warning signs will allow you to diagnosis or dismiss any area of concern.

Although many of these cancers are extremely rare, they are rarely talked about. Knowing the warning signs will allow you to diagnosis or dismiss any area of concern.