Head and Neck Cancers

“Head and neck cancer” is a broad category that includes several cancers that start in regions of your head and neck. Most start in squamous cells that make up the moist tissue lining your mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box or nasal cavity. Providers classify them as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

If you have head and neck cancer, your oncologist will work with you to determine the best treatment options. The goal is to fight the disease while preserving those parts of your body that help you speak, eat and make facial expressions. The earlier it’s caught and treated, the better your chances of getting rid of the cancer for good.

Types of head and neck cancers

Head and neck cancers include cancers in your mouth, parts of your throat (nasopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx) and other related structures:

• Oral cancer: Cancer that forms in your lips, gums, tongue, the lining of your cheeks and lips, the top and bottom of your mouth, or behind your wisdom teeth.
• Salivary gland cancer: Cancer of your salivary glands, which produce spit.
• Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer: Cancer that forms in the hollow area inside of your nose (nasal cavity) or the hollow spaces in the bones surrounding your nose (paranasal sinuses).
• Nasopharyngeal cancer: Cancer of the upper part of your throat (nasopharynx).
• Oropharyngeal cancer: Cancer of the middle part of your throat (oropharynx), including your tonsils and the base of your tongue.
• Hypopharyngeal cancer: Cancer of the bottom part of your throat (hypopharynx).
• Laryngeal cancer: Cancer of your voice box (larynx), which contains your vocal cords.