The late Bobby Hamilton, Sr. pictured here at California Speedway in February, 2006. (BHR Photo)

“The truth is, once you have been diagnosed with cancer you always battle it in some form or fashion,” said Hamilton Sr. during a candid interview on June 5, 2006. “Yes, your body heals and life as you know it goes on, but cancer is always there.  All I expect out of this is if anybody has anything to say about what I’m going through, let’s just attribute it to everybody who’s going through it. I just want to take my battle and use what little bit of celebrity status that I have left and try to promote the awareness for this disease.” 

Head and neck tumors include cancers of the tongue, gums, salivary glands, nasal cavity, and larynx or voice box.  Each year, 50,000 Americans will develop these cancers, making this collectively one of the most common types of cancer.

Eighty-five percent of head and neck cancers are linked to tobacco use, with the greatest risk for those who both drink alcohol and use tobacco. Many cases of the disease are also linked to infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). However, many cancers occur in people with no known risk factors, such as it did for Hamilton Sr.

Barbara A. Murphy, M.D., Director of the Pain and Symptom Management Program and Head and Neck Research Program at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC Staff Photo)

“Patients with head and neck cancer present with a wide array of symptoms,” said Dr. Barbara Murphy, a Medical Oncologist, Director of the Pain and Symptom Management Program and Head and Neck Research Program at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. “Many of these symptoms are related to the fact that the tumor is invading into or affecting normal structures. For example, patients may present with hoarseness due to involvement of the voice box. Some patients present with difficulty swallowing due to tumor involvement of the tongue or the throat (pharynx). Patients may present with ear pain due to tumor blockage of the drainage system for the ear. Other common symptoms include: bleeding, difficulty breathing due to blockage of the airway, and changes in speech. A swelling in the neck may represent spread of the tumor to lymph glands. Some of the symptoms caused by cancer such as sore throat, cough, or nasal congestion, are similar to common colds or allergies. It is important that any symptoms that persist for more than a couple of weeks be evaluated by a physician.”

If you have any questions about Head and Neck cancer or would like to be seen by a Physician, Please call the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center toll-free Information line, staffed by three trained nurses, at 1-800-811-8480. Or visit www.headandneck.org for more information.