What Are Thoracic/ Head and Neck Cancers?
Thoracic cancers are malignancies of the lung, esophagus, trachea, chest wall, pericardium, and pulmonary system. Lung and esophageal cancer are the most common thoracic cancers. Head and neck cancers include cancers of the larynx, trachea, oral cavity, tongue, pharynx (throat), nasopharynx, salivary glands and thyroid. Lung Cancer Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lungs change and grow in an uncontrolled manner, forming tumors. If left untreated, these cells metastasize or spread outside the lungs. Smoking accounts for the majority of lung cancers. Cancers that begin in the lungs are divided into two major types – small cell lung cancer and non-small lung cancer – depending on how the cells look under a microscope. Each type of lung cancer grows and spreads in different ways and is treated differently. Dr.
