What is Head/Neck Cancer? - 1252608

suzan07
Posts:1

Hi....I am suzen,I am suffering from arthritis(especially neck pain).With out pain killer I can't sleep in the nights.In another words I addicted to these pain killers.Recently I heard about neck cancer,is this neck pain leads to neck cancer.
I would like to know in depth about neck pain and neck cancer.
Anybody of you any idea please let me know.
ThankYou.

Forums

catdander
Posts:

Hello Suzan, I understand arthritis can be a debilitating disease to live with. It must be quite difficult. There is no evidence arthritis and cancer are related. But if you have worries you should contact a doctor.
I've posted a link to a blog/post written by a wonderful oncologist who specializes in head and neck cancer as well as speaking clearly and plainly with us laypeople. http://cancergrace.org/hnscc/2010/05/10/intro-to-scchn/

Best of luck,
Janine
forum moderator

Dr West
Posts: 4735

Head and neck cancer is not the same as neck pain, and I don't think there's any real association of these two problems. Head and neck cancer tends to be associated with both a significant history of both cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, and cancers of the lips, tongue, and mucosa of the mouth are associated also with smokeless (chewed) tobacco.

I'm happy to say that there's no real reason to presume that you've got or will develop head/neck cancer just based on arthritis in the neck, though I know that's a painful problem in its own right.

Good luck.

-Dr. West