Head, Neck and Oral Cancers

Head, neck and oral cancers happen when abnormal cells begin to form in the mouth,nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, salivary glands, pharynx (the cavity behind the nose and mouth connecting to the esophagus), or larynx (voice box).

Tumors can be primary—meaning they originated in your head or neck and may spread to lymph nodes in your neck—or secondary— meaning they started elsewhere in your body and spread to your head or neck.

Roughly 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with cancer in their head, neck, or mouth each year.
The most common types are oral and oropharyngeal cancer. About 54,000 Americans are diagnosed each year—more than half being men.

Most head, neck, and oral cancers are quite rare. Only about 2,000 people in the US are diagnosed with sinus cancer each year, and fewer than 13,000 people in the US will be diagnosed with laryngeal cancer each year. The incidence of most head, neck and oral cancers is dropping, likely because fewer people are using tobacco.

There are two types of head, neck, and oral tumors, they can all originate in different parts of these areas.

Most of these cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. These tumors develop in the flat squamous cells in the lining of your mouth, nose, and throat. If a tumor is found only in this layer of cells, it’s called carcinoma in situ. If it has grown into deeper tissues it’s called invasive squamous cell carcinoma.

The other type, adenocarcinoma, typically starts in the cells of your salivary glands.
Cancers of the brain, the eye, the esophagus, the thyroid gland, and the skin of the head and neck are not usually classified as head and neck cancers.

Signs of Head, Neck and Oral Cancers

Most people with head, neck, and oral cancers have no symptoms until the cancer has grown. If you are experiencing any of the signs below, it is important to have them checked by a physician. Earlier detection of head and neck cancer can give you the best chance for a successful treatment.

In general, signs of head and neck cancer may include:

A lump or sore in your mouth or neck that doesn’t heal
Sore throat that doesn’t getter better
Difficulty or pain with swallowing
Change in your voice or general hoarseness
Blood in your saliva or nosebleeds
Ear pain or hearing loss
Nasal stuffiness that doesn’t clear up
Different cancers may have additional symptoms.

How are head and neck cancers treated?

Head and neck cancer treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of treatments. The treatment plan for an individual patient depends on a number of factors, including the location of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, and the person’s age and general health.


Patients and their doctors should consider treatment options carefully. They should discuss each type of treatment and how it might change the way the patient looks, talks, eats, or breathes and how each treatment can affect their quality of life.

https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and...