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Head & Neck Cancer Benefits of Taxotere® About Head and Neck Cancer Risk Factors Screening Treatment Options Questions to Ask Useful Links

Head and Neck Cancer Facts: Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Diagnosing Head and Neck Cancer

There are a few different types of healthcare providers that may be involved in the diagnosis of your head and neck cancer. Your dentist may have initially discovered the cancer and sent you to an oral surgeon or ENT surgeon, who will generally diagnose your cancer. They may then refer you to a team that includes a medical oncologist and a radiation oncologist. These two physicians will further evaluate the cancer and discuss treatment options.

If your healthcare provider suspects that you may have head and neck cancer, he or she will perform a physical exam, ask you questions about your signs and symptoms, go over your medical history, and perform diagnostic tests in order to rule out or confirm a diagnosis of head and neck cancer.

Your doctor may use one ore more of the following tests to diagnose head and neck cancer and determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body:

Endoscopy: Your doctor may perform an endoscopy that examines the inside of the body using a flexible, skinny tube with a light on it (called an endoscope). The endoscope is inserted through either the nose or mouth, depending on what parts of the head and neck need to be examined. This is usually done as an EUA (examination under anesthesia)
Laboratory Tests: Your doctor may take a urine, blood , or other type of sample.
X-Rays: Your doctor may take X-rays to closely examine areas of your head and neck on film.
(CT) Scan: A CT scan, created by a computer connected to an X-ray machine, will help your doctor see a series of detailed pictures of your head and neck.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Your doctor may take an MRI scan, which uses strong magnets connected to a computer, to see detailed pictures of your head and neck.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET): A PET scan, which uses radioactive sugar injected into your vein, may help your doctor spot cancerous tissue.
Biopsy: A biopsy (removing tissue for examination) is the only sure way your doctor can determine if your lesion is in fact cancerous.

Head and Neck Cancer Treatment Options

Once you have been diagnosed with head and neck cancer and your doctor knows the extent of your cancer, you and your doctor will discuss and select the most appropriate treatment. There are many treatment options available, and the decision can be overwhelming. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns you may have.

The stage of the head and neck cancer treatment varies depending on the location of the cancer and other factors. Your treatment may include one, a combination or none of the treatment options presented below.

Surgery: Surgery may be performed to remove the cancer and surrounding tissue. In addition, lymph nodes in the neck may be removed to check if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy (using drugs to help kill cancer cells) may be used to treat head and neck cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Chemotherapy works by killing rapidly proliferating cells in the body, including cancer cells. Chemotherapy administered before radiation therapy is know as induction chemotherapy. This could treat both your local cancer and any potential cancer outside the field of the radiotherapy that would follow.
Radiation Therapy: Doctors may treat head and neck cancer patients with radiation therapy. Radiation therapy kills cancer cells by using high-energy rays. When radiation therapy is delivered through the outside of the body, it is called external-beam radiation therapy. It also can be delivered through radioactive materials placed inside or close to the area where the cancer cells are. This is called internal radiation therapy or radiation implant.
Chemoradiotherapy: Chemoradiotherapy refers to the use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the same time, and can be used either after surgery or after induction chemotherapy. Adding chemotherapy to radiotherapy enhances the effect of radiotherapy because of biological and chemical reasons.

Learn more about chemotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer, in the About Taxotere^® section of this site. Also, be sure to visit the Understanding Chemotherapy section for tips on managing chemotherapy side effects and more.

Chemotherapy can be managed through education preparation. To be better equipped to help yourself and your family, visit the Helpful Resource section.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Taxotere® treatment can cause serious, physically limiting, and potentially life-threatening side effects, such as infection, low blood-cell counts, allergic reaction, and retention of excess fluid (edema).

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Taxotere^® treatment can cause serious, physically limiting, and potentially life-threatening side effects, such as infection, low blood-cell counts, allergic reaction, and retention of excess fluid (edema).

Taxotere^® should not be given to patients with low white–blood-cell counts, abnormal liver function, or a history of allergic reactions to Taxotere^® or any of the ingredients in Taxotere^®.

Before each Taxotere^® treatment, all patients treated with Taxotere^{^®} must receive another medicine called dexamethasone. This drug can help reduce the risk of fluid retention (edema) and allergic reactions.

Taxotere^® should be administered only under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of anticancer treatments. Appropriate management of complications is possible only when adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities are readily available.

Treatment-related acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplasia has occurred in patients given anthracyclines and/or cyclophosphamide, including use with Taxotere^® in adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.

The most common severe side effects are low white–blood-cell count, anemia, fatigue, diarrhea, and mouth and throat irritation. Low white–blood-cell count can lead to life-threatening infections. The earliest sign of infection may be fever, so tell your doctor right away if you have a fever.

Other common side effects from Taxotere^® include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, rash, infusion-site reactions, odd sensations (such as numbness, tingling, or burning) or weakness in the hands and feet, nail changes, muscle and/or bone pain, or excessive tearing.

Because of the potential risk of fetal harm, pregnant women should not receive Taxotere^®. Women of childbearing potential should avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with Taxotere^®.

Before receiving Taxotere^®, tell your doctor if

You have any allergies
You are taking any other medicines — including nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements

When taking Taxotere^®, contact your doctor if

You have symptoms of an allergic reaction (warm sensation, tightness in your chest, itching/hives, or shortness of breath)
You experience any other side effects

Please see accompanying full prescribing information, including boxed WARNING.

Click here for information on drug anti-counterfeiting.

Taxotere^® (docetaxel) Injection Concentrate Indications

Breast Cancer
TAXOTERE^® is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy
TAXOTERE^® in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with operable node-positive breast cancer

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
TAXOTERE^®, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of prior platinum-based chemotherapy
TAXOTERE^® in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who have not previously received chemotherapy for this condition.

Prostate Cancer
TAXOTERE^® in combination with prednisone is indicated for the treatment of patients with androgen independent (hormone refractory) metastatic prostate cancer.

Gastric Cancer
TAXOTERE^® in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma, including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, who have not received prior chemotherapy for advanced disease.

Head and Neck Cancer
TAXOTERE^® in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil is indicated for the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).