Head and neck cancer

Cancer of the head and neck
Cancer care
cancer diagnosis

These cancers, that could include oesophageal cancer, usually begin in the cells that line the moist surfaces (mucosal membranes) inside the head and neck, including the inside of the mouth, the nose and the throat.

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How common is head and neck cancer?

Below are a series of statistics on head and neck cancer to indicate how common the condition is and possible figures related to its treatment.

1 in 287
1 in 287
1 in 287
South Africans have a lifetime risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus.

Other types of cancer

Below you can find information on other types of cancer screenings that you might be interested in.

Bladder cancer

Cancer of the bladder

The fourth most common cancer in men and the twelfth most common cancer in women.

Breast cancer

Cancer of the breast

Cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts and can occur in both men and women, but it's far more common in women.

Cervical cancer

Cancer of the cervix

If detected early, cancer of the cervix can be one of the most successfully treatable cancers...

Colorectal cancer

Cancer of the rectum or colon

Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together because they have many features in common.

Sarcoma

Cancerous tumours of the soft tissues

A broad term for cancers that start in soft tissues like muscle, tendons, fat, lymph and blood vessels, and nerves.

Throat cancer

Cancer of the throat

A fast-growing cancer; therefore early treatment is key to having a good quality of life.

Lung Cancer

Caner of the lung

People who smoke are at a greater risk of getting lung cancer, though lung cancer can also occur in people who have never smoked.

Melanoma

A type of skin cancer

The primary known cause of melanoma, as well as all other types of skin cancer, is exposure to ultraviolet radiation contained in sunlight.

Lymphoma

Cancer of lymphocytes

Lymphoma can be divided broadly into 2 types of lymphoma: Hodgkins Lymphoma or Hodgkins Disease (HD) and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL).

Head and neck cancers

Cancer of the head and neck

These cancers, that could include oesophageal cancer, usually begin in the cells that line the moist surfaces (mucosal membranes) inside the head and neck, including the inside of the mouth, the nose and the throat.

Ovarian cancer

Cancer of the ovary

Recent evidence suggests that many ovarian cancers may actually start in the cells in the far end of the fallopian...

Prostate cancer

Cancer of the prostate gland

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. The lifetime risk for prostate cancer in men in South Africa, is 1 in 18.

Stomach cancer

Also known as gastric cancer

Most cancers of the stomach are adenocarcinomas. These cancers develop from the gland cells in the innermost lining of the stomach.

Thyroid cancer

Cancer of the thyroid gland

The thyroid gland makes hormones that help regulate your metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.

Uterine cancer

Cancer of the uterus or womb

Most uterine cancer begins in the layer of cells that form the lining (endometrium) of the uterus.

 
 
 

Oesophageal Cancer

Head and neck cancer usually begins in the cells that line the moist surfaces inside the head and neck, including the inside of the mouth, the nose and the throat.

Head and neck cancers can also begin in the salivary glands but that is relatively uncommon.


Types

Cancers of the head and neck are categorised by the area of the head and neck they originate.

These areas are described below:

  • Oral cavity: Includes the lips, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the gums, the lining inside the cheeks and lips, the floor (bottom) of the mouth under the tongue, the hard palate (bony top of the mouth), and the small area of the gum behind the wisdom teeth
  • Pharynx: The pharynx (throat) is a hollow tube about 12 ½ cms long (depending on body size) that starts behind the nose and leads to the oesophagus. It has three parts:
  • the nasopharynx (the upper part of the pharynx, behind the nose);
  • the oropharynx (the middle part of the pharynx, including the soft palate [the back of the mouth], the base of the tongue, and the tonsils)
  • the hypopharynx (the lower part of the pharynx)
  • Larynx: The larynx, also called the voice box, is a short passageway formed by cartilage just below the pharynx in the neck. The larynx contains the vocal cords. It also has a small piece of tissue, called the epiglottis, which moves to cover the larynx to prevent food from entering the air passages
This cancer begins in the cells that line the moist surfaces inside the head and neck
 
  • the oropharynx (the middle part of the pharynx, including the soft palate [the back of the mouth], the base of the tongue, and the tonsils)
  • the hypopharynx (the lower part of the pharynx)
  • Larynx: The larynx, also called the voice box, is a short passageway formed by cartilage just below the pharynx in the neck. The larynx contains the vocal cords. It also has a small piece of tissue, called the epiglottis, which moves to cover the larynx to prevent food from entering the air passages
  • Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity: The paranasal sinuses are small hollow spaces in the bones of the head surrounding the nose. The nasal cavity is the hollow space inside the nose
  • Salivary glands: The major salivary glands are in the floor of the mouth and near the jawbone.

Symptoms

Symptoms that may affect specific areas of the head and neck include the following:

  • Oral cavity
    A white or red patch on the gums, the tongue, or the lining of the mouth; a swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable; and unusual bleeding or pain in the mouth.
  • Larynx
    Pain when swallowing or ear pain.
  • Salivary glands
    Swelling under the chin or around the jawbone, numbness or paralysis of the muscles in the face, or pain in the face, the chin, or the neck that does not go away.
  • Pharynx
    Trouble breathing or speaking; pain when swallowing; pain in the neck or the throat that does not go away; frequent headaches, pain, or ringing in the ears; or trouble hearing.
  • Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity
    Sinuses that are blocked and do not clear; chronic sinus infections that do not respond to treatment with antibiotics; bleeding through the nose; frequent headaches, swelling or other trouble with the eyes; pain in the upper teeth; or problems with dentures.

Causes

Alcohol and tobacco use are the two most important risk factors for head and neck cancers, particularly cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx.

Tobacco and alcohol use are not risk factors for salivary gland cancers.

Infection with cancer-causing types of human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV type 16, is a risk factor for some types of head and neck cancers, particularly oropharyngeal cancers that involve the tonsils or the base of the tongue.

Other risk factors for cancers of the head and neck include the following:

  • Preserved or salted foods: Consumption of certain preserved or salted foods during childhood is a risk factor for nasopharyngeal cancer
  • Oral health: Poor oral hygiene and missing teeth may be weak risk factors for cancers of the oral cavity. Use of mouthwash that has a high alcohol content is a possible, but not proven, risk factor for cancers of the oral cavity
  • Occupational exposure: Occupational exposure to wood dust is a risk factor for nasopharyngeal cancer. Certain industrial exposures, including exposures to asbestos and synthetic fibres, have been associated with cancer of the larynx, but the increase in risk remains controversial. People working in certain jobs in the construction, metal, textile, ceramic, logging, and food industries may have an increased risk of cancer of the larynx. Industrial exposure to wood or nickel dust or formaldehyde is a risk factor for cancers of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity
  • Radiation exposure: Radiation to the head and neck, for noncancerous conditions or cancer, is a risk factor for cancer of the salivary glands
  • Epstein-Barr virus infection: Infection with the Epstein-Barr virus is a risk factor for nasopharyngeal cancer and cancer of the salivary glands

Prevention

Different factors cause different types of cancer, however there is no proven way to completely prevent this type of cancer. There are ways to reduce your risk, these include:

  • Stopping the use of all tobacco products
  • Avoiding alcohol
  • Proper dental care

Treatment

The treatment plan for the individual with head and neck cancer depends on a number of factors, including:

  • Tumour location
  • The stage of the cancer
  • The person’s age
  • The person’s individual health

Treatment options include:

  • Surgery
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Or a combination of treatment

People who are diagnosed with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer may be treated differently than people with oropharyngeal cancers that are HPV-negative.

There is no proven way to completely prevent this type of cancer
 

When to see a doctor

Contact your doctor if you notice any of the symptoms continuing for extended periods and not healing.

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