Head And Neck Cancers

April 16, 2026 | Maybe it’s just a cough or maybe it’s something more. Head and neck cancer is the name for cancers that develop in the mouth, nose and sinuses, salivary glands, and throat and voice box, or larynx. Most head and neck cancers are squamous cell cancers. They begin in the moist tissues that line the head and neck. The cancer cells may spread into deeper tissue as the cancer grows. There are other cancers that develop in the head and neck, such as brain cancer, eye cancer, and esophageal cancer, but they are usually not considered to be head and neck cancers because those types of cancer and their treatments are different. About 72,680 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx, the major types of head and neck cancer, in 2025, according to the National Cancer Institute. More than 16,000 Americans were estimated to die from these diseases last year.

April 16, 2026 | It’s important to know that anyone can develop head and neck cancer but there are certain factors that can put you at greater risk for the disease. Men are twice as likely as women to develop this form of cancer, with the chances increasing once a man passes the age of 50. People who use both tobacco and alcohol are at greater risk of developing these cancers than people who use either tobacco or alcohol alone. About 70 percent of cancers in the oropharynx, which includes the tonsils, soft palate, and base of the tongue, are linked to HPV, a common sexually transmitted virus. Exposure to certain substances while on the job can lead to cancers in the nasopharynx, the uppermost part of the throat. Working in the construction, textile, ceramic, logging, and food processing industries can cause people to be exposed to hazardous substances like wood dust, formaldehyde, asbestos, nickel, and other chemicals.

April 16, 2026 | A lump in the neck or a sore in the mouth. A sore throat that doesn’t go away. Difficulty in swallowing or a distinct hoarseness in the voice. These are all symptoms of head and neck cancer. While these symptoms can be caused by other less serious conditions, it’s important to talk to a medical practitioner if you develop any of these symptoms. A white or red patch on the gums or lining of the mouth or unusual bleeding or pain in the mouth could be a sign of cancer in the oral cavity. A person who has trouble breathing or speaking or has pain when swallowing may have cancer of the larynx. Chronic sinus infections that do not respond to antibiotics and pain in the upper teeth may be caused by cancer in the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. Swelling under the chin or around the jawbone and numbness of the muscles in the face are possible signs of cancer of the salivary glands. All of these should be taken seriously.

April 16, 2026 | Head and neck cancer treatment often involves surgery to remove the cancer. Other treatments might include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and other medicines. Dr. Mauricio A. Moreno, an otolaryngologist in UAMS’s Head and Neck Oncology Clinic, says the treatment plan for an individual patient depends on a number of factors, including the location of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, and the person’s age and general health. Radiation might be used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that are left. If surgery isn’t an option, treatment might start with radiation instead. Dr. Moreno says patients and their doctors should consider treatment options carefully. They should discuss each type of treatment and how it might change the way the patient looks, eats or breathes and how each treatment can affect their quality of life. Rehabilitation, such as physical therapy and dietary counseling may help.

April 16, 2026 | Regular follow-up care is very important after treatment for head and neck cancer to make sure that the cancer has not returned and that a second primary, or new cancer has not developed. One of the best ways to reduce your risk of head and neck cancer is by not smoking and not using smokeless tobacco products. Limit the amount of alcohol you consume and talk to your health care professional about HPV vaccination. The HPV vaccine can prevent new infections with the types of HPV that most often cause oropharyngeal and other cancers. Vaccination is recommended only for people at certain ages. Be sure to use lip balm that contains sunscreen, wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors, and avoid tanning. And you should visit your dentist regularly. Although there is no standard or routine screening test for head and neck cancers, dentists may check the oral cavity for signs of cancer during a routine checkup.