Head and neck cancer includes a variety of malignancies that affect the mouth, throat, and other areas of the head and neck. A chronic sore throat is the most prevalent symptom. You can lower your risk by not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, and not getting an HPV infection. These tumors are frequently treated if detected early, and the majority are avoidable. For more information, consult the head & neck cancer center of texas today.
What is head and neck cancer?
Head and neck cancers begin in the cells that line your mouth, throat (pharynx), or voice box (larynx). These are known as squamous cells. Head and neck malignancies originate in your salivary glands or sinuses less frequently.
Squamous cell carcinoma, named after the cell that transforms into a cancer cell, is the most common head and neck cancer.
Types of head and neck cancer
Cancers of the head and neck include:
- Oropharyngeal carcinoma is a kind of throat cancer that affects the middle section of your throat (oropharynx). The most prevalent kind of oropharyngeal cancer is tonsil carcinoma.
- Oral cancer develops in your tongue, lips, gums, lip lining, cheek, top and bottom of your mouth, or behind your wisdom teeth.
- Laryngeal carcinoma is a cancer affecting the voice box (larynx), which houses your vocal cords.
- Hypopharyngeal carcinoma is cancer of the lower region of the throat (hypopharynx).
- Salivary gland cancer: Cancer of the glands that create saliva (spit).
- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a kind of throat cancer that affects the top section of the throat (nasopharynx).
- Cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses: Cancer that develops in the hollow spaces in the bones around your nose (paranasal sinuses) or the hollow region inside your nose (nasal cavity).
Cancers of the head and neck can spread to the lymph nodes in the upper region of the neck.
Despite their sites, brain, eye, esophagus, and thyroid cancers are not commonly classified as head and neck malignancies. They require different therapies than head and neck malignancies.
Who is most at risk of developing head and neck cancer?
Men and individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) are up to three times more likely than women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) to be diagnosed. Age also has a factor. The majority of people are diagnosed beyond the age of 50.
Certain variables, including cigarette and alcohol usage and HPV infection, increase your cancer risk.
