Head and Neck Cancers: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment

Most head and neck cancers begin in the cells that line the mucous membranes inside your head and neck. These cells are called squamous cells. These cancers are referred to as squamous cell carcinomas.

There are mucous membranes inside your:

• nose
• mouth
• throat
• larynx

Other types of head and neck cancers are less common. These include cancers that begin in salivary glands and sinuses.

Let’s talk about different types of head and neck cancers in more detail.

Oral cancers

Oral cavity cancers can begin in the:

• lips
• inner lining of the cheeks and lips
• tongue
• gums
• floor of the mouth
• hard and soft palate (the roof of the mouth)

Symptoms of oral cancers include:

• a persistent sore on your lip or mouth
• pain in the mouth that won’t go away
• a lump inside your mouth
• bleeding from your mouth
• loose teeth
• difficulty swallowing
• unexplained weight loss
• lower lip, face, neck, or chin numbness
• white or red patches inside your mouth
• pain in the tongue
• jaw pain or stiffness

Read this article to find out what oral cancer looks like.

Pharyngeal cancers

The pharynx is a hollow tube that connects the nose with the windpipe. Pharyngeal cancers can begin in the:

• nasopharynx, or the upper part of the pharynx behind your nose
• oropharynx, or the middle part of the pharynx behind your mouth
• hypopharynx, or the lower part of the pharynx below the mouth

Pharyngeal cancers can cause the following:

• breathing difficulties
• a lump in the back of your throat
• persistent sore throat or feeling that something is stuck in your throat
• trouble swallowing
• persistent earache, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or trouble hearing
• a lump in your neck
• nosebleeds

Laryngeal cancers

Laryngeal cancers can affect the following parts of your voice box:

• supraglottis, or the part of the larynx above the vocal cords
• glottis, or the part of the larynx around the vocal cords
• subglottis, or the part of the larynx below the vocal cords
• hypolarynx, or the lower part of the larynx

Symptoms of laryngeal cancers include:

• voice hoarseness
• voice changes
• difficulty swallowing
• unexplained weight loss
• persistent cough
• shortness of breath
• persistent earache

Cancers of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses

These cancers can begin in the cells lining your sinuses or nasal passages. One example is nasal polyps cancer, which manifests as abnormal growths in your nasal passages.

These cancers typically cause the following symptoms:

• nasal congestion
• nosebleeds
• impaired sense of smell
• pus leaking from the nose
• postnasal drip (mucus draining down your throat), which can cause persistent cough and sore throat
• eye bulging and swelling
• vision changes
• eye pain and watery eyes
• a lump anywhere on your face or neck
• facial numbness
• headache
• earache and hearing loss

Cancers of salivary glands

Cancers of salivary glands affect the glands that produce saliva. They are located in front of your ears, on the floor of your mouth, or near the jawbone.

These cancers typically cause the following symptoms:

• lumps or swelling near the jaw
• pain in the face
• facial numbness
• facial paralysis
• difficulty swallowing
• difficulty opening your mouth
• facial muscle weakness

It’s important to note that having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have cancer. These symptoms are more commonly associated with other conditions. However, it’s important to have them evaluated by a medical professional to identify and treat the cause.

According to a recent review of studies, 73% of head and neck cancers in the United States are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. This infection is transmitted between people through sexual contact. It’s important to note that most people with HPV do not know they have it because it rarely causes symptoms.

Both men and women can develop head and neck cancers associated with an HPV infection. Although HPV can be detected in different head and neck cancers, it only causes oropharyngeal cancers.

The other two main causes of head and neck cancers are alcohol and tobacco.

Some additional risk factors include:

• chewing betel quid (popular in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific islands)
• having the Epstein-Barr virus
• being male
• being older than 40 years
• experiencing occupational exposure to wood dust, asbestos, and other substances

To diagnose head and neck cancer, a doctor will review your medical history, perform a physical exam, and order different tests. Some of the tests used to diagnose this type of cancer include:

• endoscopy
• imaging scans, such as ultrasound, PET, and MRI scans
• barium swallow with CT scan or X-ray to determine if there is cancer along the gastrointestinal tract, including the throat
• biopsy
• biomarker testing of the tumor

The treatment of your cancer will depend on:

• the type of tumor
• its stage
• your age and general health
• your preferences

The most common types of treatment for head and neck cancers include:

• surgery
• chemotherapy
• radiation therapy
• immunotherapy
• targeted therapy

Your doctor may also recommend that you enroll in a clinical trial. Clinical trials allow people to try new therapies that aren’t widely available.

It’s not always possible to prevent cancer. However, you can reduce your risk of head and neck cancers by doing the following:

• quitting smoking and using tobacco products, including betel quid
• limiting alcohol use
• getting the HPV vaccine

Head and neck cancers usually begin in the mucous membranes located in the following areas:

• inside your mouth and nose
• on the back of your throat
• on your voice box

Symptoms generally include any unusual changes to your face, head, and neck area.

Treatment depends on the type of cancer you have, its stage, and your overall health.

It’s possible to decrease your risk of head and neck cancers by avoiding their risk factors, which include alcohol and tobacco, and getting the HPV vaccine.