Head and Neck Cancer: Symptoms, Types & Treatment

Head & neck cancers are very common and affect hundreds of thousands of people each year. These are a group of cancers originating from the head or neck tissues. They affect the head, mouth and throat, including the nose, paranasal sinuses (sinus cavities), middle ear, oral cavity, larynx (voice box), etc. It’s important to diagnose head & neck cancers as early as possible because they are common, recognizable, and often curable.

Types of Head and Neck Cancer

The main types of head and neck cancer include: – Laryngeal cancer – affects the voice box (larynx). – Tongue cancer – affects the tongue. – Oral cavity cancer – affects the inside of your mouth (tongue, gums, lips and palate). – Throat cancer – affects the throat (Pharynx). – Oropharyngeal cancer – affects your tonsils and the back part of your mouth. – Hypopharyngeal cancer – affects the throat’s lower part (usually known as the gullet). – Salivary gland cancer – affects the salivary glands in your mouth and throat.

Head and Neck Cancer Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on where a head and neck cancer originates, but they commonly include: – Hoarseness, cough and change in voice – Lumps or swellings in the neck are common symptoms of head and neck cancers. They can look like a swollen gland under your chin, under an ear, under one side of your face or even inside your mouth, throat or nose. Swelling is often tender when touched. – White or red patches in the mouth

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