Ear, Nose, & Throat Cancers

Skin Cancer  – The skin is the largest organ in our body. It provides protection against heat, cold, light, and infection. The skin is made up of two major layers (epidermis and dermis) as well as various types of cells. The top (or outer) layer of the skin – the epidermis – is composed of three types of cells: flat, scaly cells on the surface called squamous cells; round cells called basal cells; and melanocytes, cells that provide skin its color and protect against skin damage. The inner layer of the skin – the dermis – is the layer that contains the nerves, blood vessels, and sweat glands.

Head and Neck Cancer  -More than 55,000 Americans will develop cancer of the head and neck (most of which is preventable) this year; nearly 13,000 of them will die from it.

Fine Needle Aspiration  – Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a technique that allows a biopsy of various bumps and lumps. It allows your otolaryngologist to retrieve enough tissue for microscopic analysis and thus make an accurate diagnosis of a number of problems, such as inflammation or even cancer.

Smokeless Tobacco  – Sean Marsee of Ada, OK, lifted weights and ran the 400 meter relay. By the time he was 18 years of age, he had won 28 medals. To keep his body strong, he did not smoke or drink. But he did use smokeless tobacco, because he thought it wasn’t harmful to his health.

Secondhand Smoke and Children  – Secondhand smoke is a combination of the smoke from a burning cigarette and the smoke exhaled by a smoker.