Head and neck cancer is the general term that includes many different types of cancer that are present in the head and neck area.
These cancers start in the tissues in the head and neck area; there are more than 30 areas within the head and neck.
What is considered head and neck cancer:
- Mouth and lips
- Voice box (larynx)
- Throat (pharynx) which is divided into the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx
- Salivary glands (which make saliva)
- Nose and sinuses (air-filled spaces in the bones of the face)
- Area at the back of the nose and mouth (nasopharynx)
- Middle ear which contains the ear drum.
HPV Vaccine
The HPV vaccine can protect against head and neck cancers. The vaccine gives the body a safe way to build immune system awareness of some HPV strains. This means the body has an easier time clearing out those strains of the virus if a person catches them later.
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Sign and symptoms include:
- An ulcer anywhere in the mouth area (including the tongue) lasting for more than 3 weeks
- A red patch (erythroplakia) or red and white patch (erythroleukoplakia) anywhere inside the mouth
- A white patch on its own (leukoplakia) anywhere inside the mouth
- A lump in the neck that does not go away after 2 to 3 weeks
- A lump on the lip or anywhere inside the mouth that does not go away
- A sore tongue that is not getting better
- Throat pain, persistent hoarseness and difficulty swallowing that is not improving
- Discomfort or pain, usually in the mouth
- Bleeding in the mouth or nosebleeds
- A sore throat or earache that does not get better
- Pain in the cheek or any part of your face
- Pain behind the nose or in the upper teeth.
Any of these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer but it is important to have them checked by your GP or dentist, especially if they do not go away or are getting worse.
Please contact your GP if you have any concerns.
Surgical removal of the tumour is often used to treat head and neck cancers. It may be used alone or in combination with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
There are psychological and wellbeing services for anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer and would like counselling to support with the impact of cancer.
- Oral Health Foundation
- The Swallows
- Heads2gether
- Macmillan Cancer Support
- The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
- Head and Neck Cancer Coalition
- Jayne Sargent Foundation
- Lingen Davies
- Head and Neck Cancer - NHS
- Cancer Research UK
- Head and Neck Cancer - NHS
- Head and neck cancer risk factors | Macmillan Cancer Support
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