T R I - C I T I E S
Founded in 1994, the
Tri-Cities Cancer Center
is a leader in radiation
oncology in southeastern
Washington and
northeastern Oregon.
A partnership of
Lourdes Health Network,
Kennewick General
Hospital, Kadlec Regional
Medical Center, and the
Tri-Cities Community,
the center's mission is to
provide and coordinate
the highest quality,
compassionate care for the
communities we serve.
2013 Governing Board:
· Jeff Petersen, Chair
· Rick Millikin, Vice Chair
· P. Donna Vance,
Secretary & Treasurer
· PK Brockman
· Joseph Kelley, MD, PhD
· Susan Kreid
· Glen Marshall
· Thomas Rado, MD, PhD
· John Serle
· Rand Wortman
Administration Staff:
· Thomas Cothran
· Michele Caron
· Vicki Dehler
· Elizabeth McLaughlin
· Michael Novakovich
· Janine McKeever
As the name implies, head and neck
cancers occur in the area above the
shoulders. Cancers of the brain, the
eye, the esophagus, and the thyroid
gland, as well as those of the scalp,
skin, muscles, and bones of the head
and neck, are not usually classified as
head and neck cancers.
Cancers that are known collectively
as head and neck cancers usually
begin in the squamous cells that line
the moist, mucosal surfaces inside
the head and neck (for example,
inside the mouth, the nose, and the
throat). These squamous cell cancers
are often referred to as squamous
cell carcinomas of the head and
neck. Head and neck cancers can
also begin in the salivary glands, but
salivary gland cancers are relatively
uncommon. Salivary glands contain
many different types of cells that
can become cancerous, so there are
many different types of salivary gland
cancers.
Cancers of the head and neck are
further categorized by the area of the
head or neck in which they begin.
These areas are described below and
labeled in the image of head and neck
cancer regions.
Oral cavity
:
Includes the
lips, the front
two-thirds of
the tongue,
the gums, the
lining inside
the cheeks
and lips, the
floor (bottom) of the mouth under
the tongue, the hard palate (bony top
of the mouth), and the small area of
the gum behind the wisdom teeth.
Pharynx
: (Throat) is a hollow tube
about 5 inches long that starts behind
the nose and leads to the esophagus.
Larynx
: Also called the voicebox, is a
short passageway formed by cartilage
just below the pharynx in the neck.
Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity
:
The paranasal sinuses are small
hollow spaces in the bones of the
head surrounding the nose. The nasal
cavity is the hollow space inside the
nose.
Salivary glands
: The major salivary
glands are in the floor of the mouth
and near the jawbone. The salivary
glands produce saliva.
Head and Neck Cancers
April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month
Pain Series:
Breathing Awareness for Pain Relief
Tuesday, April 2nd, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Sara Nelson, DPT, CLT-LANA
The best things in life are free and it's true for pain relief as well. Attend this
presentation to discover easy to learn breathing techniques that can help you
reduce pain--anytime, anywhere! Sara Nelson will introduce participants to
simple breathing exercises that can be used to effectively aid in pain relief.
Please RSVP by April 1st:
(509) 737-3427 or online at www.tccancer.org
Affected area highlighted in
orange: oropharynx