Head and Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancers are malignancies that arise in the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, salivary glands, throat, or larynx. Usually, these cancers begin in the squamous cells that line the moist mucosal surfaces of the mouth, nose, and throat.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimated that about 72,680 people in the United States would be diagnosed with cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx—the major types of head and neck cancer—in 2025. About 16,680 people were estimated to die from these diseases.

More specifically, cancers of the head and neck are categorized by the area in which they begin. Get more information on these various forms of cancer:

Alcohol and tobacco use are the two most important risk factors for head and neck cancers. Moreover, infection with cancer-causing types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is another risk factor for some types of these cancers as well as the use of betel quid, radiation exposure to the head and neck, infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, certain industrial exposures (including asbestos and synthetic fibers), and some genetic disorders, such as Fanconi anemia.

According to the NCI, these cancers are nearly twice as common among men as they are among women.

Approximately 69.5% of people diagnosed with cancer of the oral cavity or pharynx will survive five years or longer from their diagnosis, according to the NCI. For cancer of the larynx, the five-year relative survival rate is about 62%. However, the NCI cautions that survival statistics can’t be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient, because the estimate is based on large groups of people. No two patients are entirely alike, and treatment and responses to treatment can vary greatly, according to the NCI.

Source: National Cancer Institute