Cancer
Oral, head and neck cancer is a broad term that describes many different cancers that start in the head and neck. Most oral, head and neck cancers begin in the cells that make up the moist tissues (mucosal surfaces) of the mouth, nose and throat. Like other cancers, these cancers occur when abnormal cells begin to grow and divide uncontrollably and form a mass, called a malignant tumor.
Doctors identify oral, head and neck cancers by the area in which the cancer begins:
Lip and oral cavity cancer occurs on the lips, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the gums, the lining of the cheeks and lips, the floor of the mouth under the tongue, the palate, and the area behind the wisdom teeth.
Salivary gland cancer occurs in the glands that produce saliva, located in front of and just below each ear (parotid glands), under the tongue in the floor of the mouth (sublingual glands) and below the jawbone (submandibular glands).
Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer occurs in the small, air-filled pockets in the bones around the nose and in the nasal cavity, the passageway from the nose to the throat.
Nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers occur in the pharynx, an approximately 5-inch long hollow tube that leads from the nose to the esophagus and the trachea.
Laryngeal cancer occurs in the larynx, also called the voice box. The larynx includes the vocal cords and the epiglottis, a piece of tissue that moves to cover the trachea (windpipe) during swallowing.
Note: Cancers of the brain, eye, thyroid, as well as the skin, bones, muscles and nerves of the head and neck are not included under the heading of "oral, head and neck" cancer.
What's My Risk of Getting Oral, Head or Neck Cancer?
People who have the following characteristics may be at increased risk of developing oral, head or neck cancers:
Male
Age 50 or older
Heavy use of alcohol
Use of tobacco, including smokeless tobacco
The National Cancer Institute estimates that 85 percent
Doctors identify oral, head and neck cancers by the area in which the cancer begins:
Lip and oral cavity cancer occurs on the lips, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the gums, the lining of the cheeks and lips, the floor of the mouth under the tongue, the palate, and the area behind the wisdom teeth.
Salivary gland cancer occurs in the glands that produce saliva, located in front of and just below each ear (parotid glands), under the tongue in the floor of the mouth (sublingual glands) and below the jawbone (submandibular glands).
Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer occurs in the small, air-filled pockets in the bones around the nose and in the nasal cavity, the passageway from the nose to the throat.
Nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers occur in the pharynx, an approximately 5-inch long hollow tube that leads from the nose to the esophagus and the trachea.
Laryngeal cancer occurs in the larynx, also called the voice box. The larynx includes the vocal cords and the epiglottis, a piece of tissue that moves to cover the trachea (windpipe) during swallowing.
Note: Cancers of the brain, eye, thyroid, as well as the skin, bones, muscles and nerves of the head and neck are not included under the heading of "oral, head and neck" cancer.
What's My Risk of Getting Oral, Head or Neck Cancer?
People who have the following characteristics may be at increased risk of developing oral, head or neck cancers:
Male
Age 50 or older
Heavy use of alcohol
Use of tobacco, including smokeless tobacco
The National Cancer Institute estimates that 85 percent