Doctors do not know the exact causes of head and neck cancers. But there are risk factors that can increase your chance of developing it. The main risk factors for head and neck cancers are tobacco and alcohol. It is thought that about 3 out of 4 head and neck cancers (75%) are linked to tobacco or alcohol use. Many cancers at the back of the tongue and in the tonsils (cancers of the oropharynx) are linked to infection with a type of virus called human papilloma virus (HPV). Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will get a head and neck cancer. Also, having no risk factors does not mean you will not develop a head and neck cancer. More information is available here.
Head and neck cancer is a relatively uncommon type of cancer. Around 12,000 new cases are diagnosed in the UK each year. There are more than 30 areas within the head and neck where cancer can develop, including the:
- mouth and lips
- salivary glands
- voice box (larynx)
- nose and sinuses
- throat (pharynx)
- area at the back of the nose and mouth (nasopharynx)
It is important to remember that Oesophageal (gullet) cancer, thyroid cancer, brain tumours and eye cancer don't tend to be classified as a head and neck cancer. Below is further information on types of Head & Neck cancers.
Mouth cancer
Mouth cancer is the most common type of head and neck cancer. It can affect a number of areas in and around the mouth, including the:
- Lips
- Tongue
- Inside of cheeks
- Floor or roof of mouth
- Gums
Symptoms of mouth cancer can include persistent mouth ulcers and/or a lump in the mouth, both of which may be painful. Click here to find out more about mouth cancer.
Laryngeal cancer
Laryngeal cancer develops in the tissue of the larynx (also known as the voice box). Symptoms of laryngeal cancer can include:
- a change in the voice, such as persistent hoarseness
- difficulty or pain when swallowing
- noisy breathing
- persistent cough or sore throat
- shortness of breath
- a lump or swelling in your neck
Click here to find out more about laryngeal cancer.
Salivary gland cancer
Salivary glands produce saliva, which keeps your mouth moist and helps with swallowing and digestion. There are 3 main pairs of salivary glands. They are the:
- parotid glands – located between your cheeks and your ears
- sublingual glands – located under your tongue
- submandibular glands – located under each side of your jawbone
Salivary gland cancer most commonly affects the parotid glands. The main symptom of salivary gland cancer is a lump or swelling on or near your jaw, or in your mouth or neck, although the vast majority of these lumps are non-cancerous. Other symptoms can include numbness in part of your face and drooping on one side of your face. Click here to read more.
Nose and sinus cancer
Nose and sinus cancer affects the nasal cavity (above the roof of your mouth) and the sinuses (the small, air-filled cavities inside the bones of the nose and within the cheekbones and forehead).The symptoms of nose and sinus cancer are similar to viral or bacterial infections, such as the
common cold or sinusitis, and include:
- a persistent blocked nose, which usually only affects 1 side
- nosebleeds
- a decreased sense of smell
- mucus running from the nose or down the throat
Read more about nose and sinus cancer.
Nasopharyngeal cancer
Nasopharyngeal cancer affects the part of the throat that connects the back of the nose to the back of the mouth. It's one of the rarest types of head and neck cancer in the UK. Symptoms can include:
- a lump in the neck, due to the cancer spreading to the lymph nodes (pea-sized lumps of tissue that make up part of the immune system) in the neck
- a blocked or stuffy nose
- nosebleeds
- hearing loss (usually only in 1 ear)
Read more about nasopharyngeal cancer.
