A board member with the Mount Nittany Health System, Dr. James Freije began practicing with the Mount Nittany Physician Group six years ago. Over the course of his two-decade career as an otolaryngologist, Dr. James Freije has developed expertise in head and neck cancer.

1. HEAD AND NECK
CANCER STATISTICS
By Dr James Freije

2. Introduction
 A board member with the Mount Nittany Health
System, Dr. James Freije began practicing with
the Mount Nittany Physician Group six years ago.
Over the course of his two-decade career as an
otolaryngologist, Dr. James Freije has developed
expertise in head and neck cancer.
In 2015, approximately 59,340 individuals, a
majority of whom will be men, are expected to be
diagnosed with head and neck cancer. The
American Society of Clinical Oncology also
estimates 12,290 deaths will derive from the
illness.

3. Head and Neck Cancer
 Individuals consuming alcohol or using any type of
tobacco are more susceptible to head and neck
cancer. In fact, 75 percent of individuals are
diagnosed with the primary causing factor being
linked to alcohol and tobacco. Human
papillomavirus (HPV) also increases a person’s
risk of head and neck cancer. This infection,
especially HPV-16, can cause oropharyngeal
cancers, which impacts the base of the tongue
and tonsils. At present, the United States is seeing
a rise in oropharyngeal cancers caused by HPV,
according to the National Cancer Institute.