Know More About Head and Neck Surgery - Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat

1. Know More About Head and Neck Surgery The surgeons at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat are highly experienced and trained in all facets of head and neck conditions. Our physician, Dr. Kenneth Newkirk, is board certified in adult and pediatric otolaryngology, and is also a fellowship trained Head and Neck Cancer Surgeon. Dr. Newkirk is the Medical Director of Head and Neck Cancer at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and works with team of experts to provide patients with a multi-disciplinary approach to head and neck disorders. Cont....

2. Know About Bell's Palsy & Facial Paralysis Disorders of the facial nerve can occur to men, women, and children, but they are more prominent among men and women over 40 years of age, people with diabetes, upper respiratory ailments, weak immune systems, or pregnant women. Cases of facial paralysis can be permanent or temporary, but in all circumstances there are treatments designed to improve facial function. What are the common signs or symptoms? Twitching Weakness or paralysis of face Dryness of the eye or mouth Disturbance or loss of taste Drooping eyelid or corner of the mouth Difficulty in speaking Dribbling when drinking or after cleaning teeth Ear pain

3. Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer A lump in the neck... Cancers that begin in the head or neck usually spread to lymph nodes in the neck before they spread elsewhere. A lump in the neck that lasts more than two weeks should be seen by a physician as soon as possible. Of course, not all lumps are cancer. But a lump (or lumps) in the neck can be the first sign of cancer of the mouth, throat, voicebox (larynx), thyroid gland, or of certain lymphomas and blood cancers. Such lumps are generally painless and continue to enlarge steadily. Change in the voice... Most cancers in the larynx cause some changes in voice. An otolaryngologist is a head and neck specialist who can examine your vocal cords easily and painlessly. While most voice changes are not caused by cancer, you shouldn’t take chances. If you are hoarse or notice voice changes for more than two weeks, see your doctor. Cont....

4. Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer A growth in the mouth... Most cancers of the mouth or tongue cause a sore or swelling that doesn’t go away. These sores and swellings may be painless unless they become infected. Bleeding may occur, but often not until late in the disease. If an ulcer or swelling is accompanied by lumps in the neck, be concerned. Your dentist or doctor can determine if a biopsy (tissue sample test) is needed and can refer you to a head and neck surgeon who can perform this procedure. Bringing up blood... This is often caused by something other than cancer. However, tumors in the nose, mouth, throat, or lungs can cause bleeding. If blood appears in your saliva or phlegm for more than a few days, you should see your physician. Swallowing problems... Cancer of the throat or esophagus (swallowing tube) may make swallowing solid foods difficult. Sometimes liquids can also be troublesome. The food may “stick” at a certain point and then either go through to the stomach or come back up. If you have trouble almost every time you try to swallow something, you should be examined by a physician. Usually a barium swallow x-ray or an esophagoscopy (direct examination of the swallowing tube with a scope) will be performed to find the cause. Cont....

5. Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer Changes in the skin... The most common head and neck cancer is basal cell cancer of the skin. Fortunately, this is rarely serious if treated early. Basal cell cancers appear most often on sun- exposed areas like the forehead, face, and ears, but can occur almost anywhere on the skin. Basal cell cancer often begins as a small, pale patch that enlarges slowly, producing a central “dimple” and eventually an ulcer. Parts of the ulcer may heal, but the major portion remains ulcerated. Persistent earache... Constant pain in or around the ear when you swallow can be a sign of infection or tumor growth in the throat. This is particularly serious if it is associated with difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness or a lump in the neck. These symptoms should be evaluated by an otolaryngologist.

6. Know About Laryngeal Tumors & Cancer Laryngeal cancer is not as well known by the general public as some other types of cancer, yet it is not a rare disease. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2005 almost 10,000 new cases of laryngeal cancer will be diagnosed, and close to 3,800 people will die from laryngeal cancer in the United States. Even for survivors, the consequences of laryngeal cancer can be severe with respect to voice, breathing, or swallowing. It is fundamentally a preventable disease though, since the primary risk factors for laryngeal cancer are associated with modifiable behaviors.

7. Know About Neck Masses Neck masses in children are most often benign. One of the most commonly diagnosed benign neck masses is an enlarged lymph node. Lymph nodes help to fight infection, so they will often swell up during an upper respiratory infection. Usually, these “swollen glands” are tender during the course of the infection. Most of the time, they will shrink down as the infection resolves. On occasion, enlarged lymph node(s) can become an abscess (collection of pus) which requires intravenous antibiotics and surgery. Another common neck mass is a cyst, which is filled with fluid. Many cysts in the head and neck are congenital, that is, they have been present since birth. Despite their presence in the neck, an actual lump may not appear until much later in life. In fact, some congenital neck cysts do not get diagnosed until adulthood.

8. What is Hyperparathyroidism? The parathyroid glands are four small glands in the neck that are part of the endocrine system. They produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which maintains calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood. The most common disease associated with the parathyroid glands is overproduction of PTH, known as hyperparathyroidism. Uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism may lead to hypercalcemia or elevated blood calcium levels. Twice as many women as men suffer from this condition and the risk of developing hyperparathyroidism increases with age. Hyperparathyroidism is more common in patients over the age of 60. Risk factors for hyperparathyroidism include having had radiation treatment to the head or neck. Rarely, cancer may be the cause of the condition.

9. Know About Salivary Disorders The glands are found in and around your mouth and throat. We call the major salivary glands the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. They all secrete saliva into your mouth, the parotid through tubes that drain saliva, called salivary ducts, near your upper teeth, submandibular under your tongue, and the sublingual through many ducts in the floor of your mouth. Besides these glands, there are many tiny glands called minor salivary glands located in your lips, inner cheek area (buccal mucosa), and extensively in other linings of your mouth and throat. Salivary glands produce the saliva used to moisten your mouth, initiate digestion, and help protect your teeth from decay. As a good health measure, it is important to drink lots of liquids daily. Dehydration is a risk factor for salivary gland disease.

10. Know More About Salivary Tumors There are three paired sets of salivary glands in the head and neck region. These include the ones in front of the ears (parotid), below the jaw (submandibular), and underneath the tongue (sublingual). Additionally, there are numerous very small salivary glands throughout the mouth and throat. Primary benign and malignant salivary gland tumors usually show up as painless enlargements of these glands. Tumors rarely involve more than one gland and are detected as a growth in the parotid, submandibular area, on the palate, floor of mouth, cheeks, or lips. An otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon should check these enlargements. Malignant tumors of the major salivary glands can grow quickly, may be painful, and can cause loss of movement of part or all of the affected side of the face. These symptoms should be immediately investigated.

11. Know About Nasal Cavity and Sinus Tumors The nasal cavity and surrounding sinuses assist in maintaining the functionality and structure of the head and neck area. Most tumors of the sinuses are benign, but may result in troubling symptoms such as nasal obstruction, facial pain, visual difficulties, sleep apnea, snoring and chronic sinus infections. Sinus tumors may be diagnosed through endoscopic examination through the nose, or through imaging techniques such as X-rays, CT scans or MRI scans. When small benign tumors are present, particularly if they are not interfering with the patient's quality of life, they may only necessitate ongoing observation by the physician. In a small number of cases the mucosa lining of the nose and sinuses can be susceptible to abnormal cell development, which can lead to the formation of cancerous tumors. Malignant cancers of the nose and sinuses are, however, quite rare. When they do occur, they are most often composed of squamous cells, and do not often metastasize. Nonetheless, any malignant growth in the nose or sinuses must be removed.

12. Thyroid Disorders & Surgery Your thyroid gland is one of the endocrine glands that makes hormones to regulate physiological functions in your body, like metabolism. Other endocrine glands are the pancreas, the pituitary, the adrenal glands, and the parathyroid glands. The thyroid gland is located in the middle of the lower neck, below the larynx (voice box) and wraps around the front half of the trachea (windpipe). It is shaped like a bow tie, just above the collarbones, having two halves (lobes) which are joined by a small tissue bar (isthmus.). You can’t always feel a normal thyroid gland.

13. Contact Us Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat Address: 3700 Route 33 Neptune, NJ 07753 (732) 280-7855 (main) (732) 280-7815 Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat Address: 1301 Route 72 Unit 340 Manahawkin, NJ 08050 (609) 978-0590 (732) 280-7815 Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat Address: 100 Commons Way #210 Holmdel, NJ 07733 (732) 280-7855 (732)-280-7815 For More Details Visit Us: https://coastalearnoseandthroat.com/services/head-and-neck-surgery/