When you have cancer, you need a supportive environment and compassionate medical care. At Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, our oral, head and neck cancer specialists blend a gentle approach to care with world-recognized expertise and innovations to detect and treat your specific cancer.
We’ll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs. By collaborating with other world-renowned cancer researchers and incorporating groundbreaking discoveries, our experts design the best, most effective therapies for you.
Unknown primary head and neck cancer develops when cancerous (malignant) squamous cells spread (metastasize) to the lymph nodes in your neck and around your collarbone. These cancers are sometimes called metastatic squamous neck cancers.
Usually, if you have head and neck cancer, we can locate your primary tumor — the spot in your body where your cancer began. For example, we may determine you have lung cancer that has spread to your neck. In this case, we will treat the cancer cells in both locations as lung cancer cells. If we can’t find your primary tumor, we will diagnose you with unknown primary head and neck cancer.
Your treatment options and outcome will depend on your genetics, as well as the location and stage and type of your cancer.
Unknown primary head and neck cancers can be difficult to diagnose because patients usually don’t experience many symptoms. In fact, a mass or lump on your neck may be the only sign. If you do have other symptoms, they can include:
According to the National Institutes of Health, the five-year survival rates for patients with unknown primary head and neck cancer varies. It can range from 22 percent to 89 percent.
Successfully treating unknown primary head and neck cancers depends on early detection and intervention. So, it’s important to know what factors may increase your risk for developing this type of disease.
While having risk factors doesn’t mean you will develop unknown primary head and neck cancer, they will put you at higher risk. Common risk factors for unknown primary head and neck cancer include:
Adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors can prevent or reduce your risk of developing unknown primary head and neck cancer. Our experts suggest:
At Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, we’re ready to walk with you every step of your healthcare journey. We can help you take additional steps to protect your well-being, and we can recommend the tests and treatments to meet your personal health needs.
Our cancer specialists at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute expertly combine the best of clinical research with the best of patient care to deliver your best outcomes.
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