Dr Iris LEUNG Oi Sum

Head and neck cancer is a collective term for cancers that occur in various upper respiratory tract tissues. Depending on the site of occurrence, it can be divided into oral cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, and laryngeal cancer. The most common tumour type in head and neck cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which originates from squamous cells on the mucosal surface of the head and neck. According to medical research, some head and neck cancers are associated with HPV (human papillomavirus).

Nasopharyngeal cancer is one of the top ten cancers in Hong Kong that cannot be ignored. There are 600 to 800 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer in the city every year. Unlike many other cancers, nasopharyngeal cancer tends to occur at a relatively early age, with the peak incidence between 40 and 60 years old, considered the prime of one's life. The incidence rate is almost three times higher in males than in females. Compared to Western countries, nasopharyngeal cancer is more commonly found in Southern China.

The "oral" region comprises multiple sites, including the lips, tongue, floor of the mouth, hard palate, and gums, as well as the oral mucosa, buccal mucosa, and salivary glands. Any malignant tumour growing in these locations is collectively referred to as oral cancer, which is also one of the types of head and neck cancer.

Otitis media is a common ear disease that presents with symptoms such as ear pain, fever, and hearing loss. It requires attention to treatment and prevention.

Rhinitis is a common allergic disease that manifests itself as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, etc. Care should be taken to avoid allergens and treat the symptoms.

The throat means the muscular tube behind the nose and neck. Throat cancer (or pharyngeal cancer) broadly refers to the growth of flat cells in this area.

In 2020, there were a total of 978 new cases of thyroid cancer, accounting for 2.9% of all new cancer cases in Hong Kong and ranking tenth among common cancers. The incidence rate per 100,000 population is approximately 13 cases. Thyroid cancer patients are typically middle-aged to elderly, with papillary thyroid cancer occurring in younger people and rare in children. Additionally, the risk of thyroid cancer is higher in females, with a rate approximately 3.8 times that of males.

Tonsillitis is a common throat disease, manifested by sore throat, fever, cough, etc. It requires treatment and prevention.

Otitis Externa, or "Swimmer's Ear," is a redness or swelling (inflammation), irritation, or infection of your outer ear canal. This condition is typically caused by bacterial infection, especially after water remains in the ear canal, such as after swimming without thoroughly drying the ears. Fungi, allergic reactions, or prolonged skin conditions can also cause Otitis Externa.

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) is inflammation of the throat and vocal cords caused by the backflow of stomach acid or other stomach contents into the throat. Patients may experience throat irritation, difficulty swallowing, increased phlegm production, coughing, vocal fatigue, and hoarseness.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses radiofrequency thermal energy to remove or reduce tissue to improve or restore respiratory function and alleviate obstruction and other related symptoms. It is commonly used to treat Thyroid Nodules, Chronic Sinusitis, Sleep Apnoea, Nasal Congestion, and specific vocal cord lesions.

Vocal cord nodules, commonly known as vocal cord calluses, vocal cord nodules or singer's nodules, are benign growths or nodules on the vocal cords. They typically appear at the contact points of the vocal cords, which are the areas that vibrate the most during phonation. These nodules are primarily caused by excessive or improper use of the vocal cords, leading to inflammation and swelling, and eventually, the skin thickens and forms nodules.

Transnasal Blue Light Laser Procedure is a surgery to treat vocal cord disorders. It is commonly used to remove non-cancerous growths on the vocal cords, such as nodules, polyps, or cysts, as well as other conditions like vascular abnormalities or early-stage laryngeal cancer.

Vocal Polyp is a benign tumour that develops on the vocal cords, typically appearing as a soft mass on one side of the vocal cord mucosa. These masses can be translucent, vascular, or sometimes present as thicker tissue. It is differ from vocal nodules, which usually appear symmetrically on both sides of the vocal cords.

Vocal Fold Cyst is a benign cystic structure that forms on the vocal cords, typically located in the submucosal layer of the vocal cord. These cysts can form due to the blockage of a mucus gland in the vocal cord, leading to the accumulation of glandular secretions and the development of a cyst. Vocal cord cysts are usually unilateral (affecting one side) and can interfere with the vibration of the vocal cords, thereby affecting the quality of the voice during speaking and singing.

Contact Granuloma also known as Vocal Granulomas, is a common lesion in the throat that primarily occur on the mucous membrane at the back of the vocal cords. These ulcers result from chronic injury caused by repeated pressure and friction in the areas where the vocal cords come into contact.

The vestibular nerve is responsible for balance and spatial orientation. Vestibular neuritis is an inflammatory condition of the inner ear. When the vestibular nerve is damaged, such as by head trauma or, most commonly, nerve inflammation, the damaged nerve can cause severe vertigo, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and significant difficulty walking. Vestibular neuritis is often considered a one-time, isolated event, with symptoms gradually improving over several days to weeks.

Nasal Deformity refers to abnormal changes in the appearance or structure of the nose, which may involve irregular variations in the shape or size of the nasal bridge, wings, nasal tip, or nostrils. Various factors, including congenital factors, trauma, complications after surgery, nasal infections, or other nasal conditions can cause nasal deformities. The severity of the deformity can range from mild to severe, with some affecting only aesthetic appearance, while others may lead to difficulty breathing or other functional impairments.

Tonsil cancer is a type of head and neck cancer which encompasses a wide variety of cancers that occur in the head and neck region, including areas such as the throat, salivary glands, tongue, nasopharynx, oral cavity, and tonsils. According to data from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry of the Hospital Authority, there are as many as 1,600 new cases of head and neck cancer each year.