Head and Neck Cancer Facts

What Are Head And Neck Cancers?

Head and neck cancers are a group of diseases involving abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth in head and neck tissues. These include:

Oral cavity: including the lips, gums, cheek lining, hard palate, front two-thirds of the tongue and floor of mouth underneath the tongue
Pharynx: the tube that starts from behind the nose and ending at the esophagus; it may classified further based on location — including the nasopharynx (the upper part behind the nose), oropharynx (the middle part, including the soft palate, base of tongue and tonsils) and hypopharynx (the lower part leading into the esophagus).
Larynx: Also known as the voicebox, the larynx is a tube that connects the base of the pharynx to the bronchus and lungs. It contains the vocal cords, which control air output for speaking, and epiglottis, which prevents food matter from going into the larynx during swallowing.
Nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses: hollow spaces within and around the nose
Salivary (parotid) glands: glands near the jawbone that produce saliva

Factors that can elevate head and neck cancer risk include:

Alcohol: heavy alcohol use, especially over a long time
Tobacco: tobacco use, particularly smokeless tobacco (also known as “chewing tobacco” or “snuff”)
Frequent or regular consumption of paan (betel quid), mate or preserved foods
Human papillomavirus (HPV) or Epstein-Barr virus infection
Radiation exposure to the head and neck region
Occupational/industrial exposures to substances linked with head and neck cancer, including wood and metal dusts, synthetic fibers, asbestos and formaldehyde
Poor oral health
Family history of head and neck cancers
Gender: head and neck cancers are twice as common in men
Ethnicity: Asians, particularly Chinese, have a higher risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer

Head and neck cancer symptoms vary depending on the area affected, and may include:

Unusual pain in the mouth, neck or throat, particularly when swallowing
Lump or swelling in the head or neck area
Change in head or neck appearance, particularly any differences that develop between the left and right sides
Difficulty breathing, chewing, swallowing or speaking
Persistent bleeding through the nose or in the mouth
Red or white patch on the gums or inner cheek
Chronic sinus blockages or infections
Numbness or paralysis with facial muscles

Although these symptoms can be caused by other conditions, you should check with your doctor to get a definitive diagnosis.

Sources: National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society