Tumours in the head and neck area are not among the most frequently discussed diagnoses in connection with malignant diseases, although their incidence is on the rise. In addition, much younger patients are currently receiving treatment.
Head and neck tumours are often detected by doctors at an advanced stage. However, proton radiotherapy gives a high chance of recovery. It is an exceptional treatment, in particular, because it demonstrably reduces the risk of side effects associated with other types of treatment while also rendering excellent treatment results. This is the most common cause of swallowing difficulties.
However, the vast majority of patients undergoing proton therapy are able to undergo treatment on an outpatient basis, while maintaining the ability to swallow and without various invasive procedures.
The second important group are patients with nasopharyngeal tumours – this is a rather specific diagnosis, occurring mainly in younger patients between 20 and 40 years of age. It affects the tissue that forms the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. These are relatively aggressive tumours, but they respond very well to treatment, the outlook for patients is very good, up to 85% will recover in the long term. This type of tumour is located in the middle of the skull, so the conventional photon technique is inappropriate; the late consequences arising in 4 to 5 years are of crucial importance.
In terms of incidence, however, the last group of tumours that we treat in our centre has been growing very intensively in recent years, namely tumours of the tonsils and the root of the tongue. It mainly affects younger patients. This type of tumour is caused by the same virus responsible for cervical cancer in women, HPV 16.
Occasionally, ear tumours are also encountered at PTC, but these are diagnosed very rarely; the number of patients is usually in the single digits.
