Proton therapy helps survivor overcome two cancer diagnoses
In early 2022, Phil Sprick noticed a lump behind his cheekbone while shaving. He visited his ear, nose and throat doctor a few weeks later and eventually had surgery to remove what was believed to be a benign tumor in his right parotid gland.
“After the surgery, I was declaring victory,” recalls Phil, who was 65 at the time. “But two weeks later, I got a call from the doctor saying the biopsy results came back positive for cancer...
Mucosal melanoma survivor trusts MD Anderson to treat rare cancer
Joy McDevitt was diagnosed with a rare cancer called mucosal melanoma of the nasal cavity on Aug. 6, 2024. She had seen an ENT because she...
Floor of mouth cancer: Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
The floor of the mouth describes the area underneath your tongue that extends along the margins of your jaw. It’s considered part of the oral...
What is esthesioneuroblastoma? Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
Esthesioneuroblastoma, also called olfactory neuroblastoma, is a cancerous tumor that originates in the nasal cavity.
It’s a very rare type of cancer, with about 1 person per 2 million people diagnosed each year worldwide. But esthesioneuroblastoma isn’t rare to us here at MD Anderson. The average ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor may see six or less cases in their entire career; we see that many in a month.
Here, I’ll explain...
Positive thoughts helped adenoid cystic carcinoma survivor heal
When Tammy Ebbinghaus was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the nasal cavity in 2023, the timing couldn’t have been worse. She was...
Cancer of the jaw: 8 things to know
Jaw cancer is a type of oral cancer that can develop in the jawbone or the soft tissue surrounding the jaw. Cancer from other areas of the...
Surgeon-scientist: How we're moving the needle for head and neck cancer
The head and neck are home to so many structures like nerves and blood vessels that intimately impact function. From speaking to swallowing...
Olfactory neuroblastoma didn’t stop this survivor from achieving his goals
When Justin Masse was diagnosed with a type of skull base tumor called olfactory neuroblastoma, he wanted to learn everything about this rare...
How to clean your ears safely: Tips to avoid harm
Cleaning your ears may sound simple. But you might be wondering about the best way to clean your ears, how often you should do it and which...
Senior speech pathologist: Patients are my No. 1 priority
When I started my career in speech pathology, I fell in love right away. It was truly rewarding to help people communicate better, which improved...