Cancer of the head and neck

Overview

Head and neck cancer is a general term to describe different cancers in the area. These include:

mouth and lips
voice box (larynx)
throat (pharynx)
salivary glands
nose and sinuses
the back of the nose and mouth (nasopharynx)

Around 12,400 new cases are diagnosed in the UK each year. In the UK, head and neck cancer is the 4th most common cancer in men.

The main risk factors for head and neck cancer are tobacco and alcohol. Some cancers are linked to an infection with a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV).

Mouth cancer

Mouth cancer (oral cancer) is the most common type of head and neck cancer.

It can affect areas in and around the mouth, including the:

lips
tongue
inside of the cheek
floor or roof of the mouth
gums

Symptoms of mouth cancer can include:

Non-healing mouth ulcers
Unexplained, persistent lumps in your mouth

Laryngeal cancer

Laryngeal cancer develops in the tissue of the larynx (voice box).

Symptoms of laryngeal cancer:

a change in the voice, such as persistent hoarseness
difficulty or pain when swallowing
noisy breathing
shortness of breath
a persistent cough
a lump or swelling in your neck

Throat cancer

Throat cancer is a general term that describes several different types of cancer. It is not a precise medical term so doctors don't tend to use it.

Areas that can be affected include:

oropharynx - the back of the mouth
hypopharynx - connects the oropharynx to the gullet and windpipe
nasopharynx - connects the back of the nose to the back of the mouth

Symptoms of throat cancer include:

ear pain
sore throat
lump in the neck
difficulty swallowing
change in voice or speech
unexplained weight loss
a cough
shortness of breath
feeling that something is stuck in the throat

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 and over 600 smaller glands.

Symptoms of salivary gland cancer include:

a lump or swelling on or near the jaw, in your mouth, or neck
numbness in part of your face
drooping on one side of your face

Nasal and sinus cancer

This cancer affects the nasal cavity (space behind the nose) or the sinuses (small, air-filled cavities inside the bones of the nose and within the cheekbones and forehead).

There are many non-serious conditions that can cause the same symptoms as cancer.

Symptoms of nose and sinus cancer may include:

persistent blocked nose, which usually only affects 1 side
nosebleeds
decreased sense of smell
mucus running from the nose or down the throat

People with nasal and sinus cancer may experience symptoms affecting the eye:

bulging of one eye
loss of sight
double vision
pain above or below the eye
watery eye

Other symptoms:

Lump on the face, nose or roof of the mouth
Pain or tingling in the face
Headache
Loose teeth
Difficulty opening the mouth
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Pain or pressure in the ear