Effects of spread of cancer in the neck
Local spread
Can compress the air and the food passages causing:
- Hoarseness
- Stridor
- Dysphagia
- Vascular compression
- Nerve palsies
- Ulceration, e. g. skin, mouth etc.
Distant metastases
Distant metastases are a very late feature of head and neck cancer
Figure 30.1
Effects of spread of cancer in the neck
Tracheostomy tube
Figure 30.2 Lung metastasis
Chest X-ray showing multiple lung metastasis arising from head and neck cancer (some are highlighted with white arrows). Also note tracheostomy tube in situ visible on X-ray
Speech valve in-situ
Figure 30.3
Post-laryngectomy patient
The patient breathes through a stoma (hole) in the neck. Note ‘speech valve’ present to help with voice rehabilitation in the absence of a larynx (voice box)