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Stem Cells in Head and Neck Cancer

What makes head and neck cancer so deadly?

In the above video, Dr. Prince explains how tobacco plays a role in making head and neck cancers particularly difficult to treat.

1. Resistant to treatment
Tumors are often resistant to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, especially tumors in the mouth.

2. Spread
Head and neck cancer tends to spread or metastasize easily -- most often to lymph nodes in the neck, but also to other places throughout the body.

3. Tobacco
Many people with head and neck cancer continue to smoke or use chewing tobacco. This increases their risk of developing new cancers, even if the original tumor is treated successfully.

Updated 3/2011

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