Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancers are cancers that start in the head or neck regions.

Patients are usually not told they have a ‘Head and Neck cancer’, they are usually told they have cancer in the particular area affected as per the types below.

Types of Head and Neck Cancer

Tonsil Cancer

Your tonsils are two oval-shaped pads in the back of your mouth that are part of your…

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Throat cancer

Throat cancer – description, symptoms, useful links and patient stories

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Mouth cancer

The oral cavity includes the mouth and tongue. Mouth cancer can affect a number of areas in…

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Voice box or Larynx cancer

The larynx is commonly called the voice box. This tube-shaped organ in the neck is important for…

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Salivary gland cancer

The salivary glands make spit (saliva) and release saliva to keep the mouth and throat moist and help with…

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Sinus cancer

The nasal cavity is the large, air-filled space behind the nose. Paranasal sinuses are air-filled spaces at…

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Thyroid cancer

The thyroid gland is a small gland in the front, lower part of your neck, just below…

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Lymph node cancer

Cancer of Unknown Primary in the Head and Neck region occurs when cancer has spread and is…

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Cancers affecting areas such as the brain, eyes, wind-pipe (trachea), and oesophagus do not fall into the Head and Neck cancer classification.

If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with a Head and Neck cancer or if you have been referred to a specialist for a diagnosis you might find our What To Expect guides helpful, written by patients for patients. You should use these as guides only and always ask your medical team for specific information as every person’s cancer and cancer experience will be different.

Symptoms of Head and Neck

Important

The symptoms described below are very common and can be caused by other conditions.

Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have a head and neck cancer, but it's important to get checked by a GP (General Practitioner) or dentist if symptoms persist for more than 3 weeks.

If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it's easier to treat.

Referrals would generally be to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist or Maxillofacial surgeon at your local hospital.

Diagnosis techniques

Head and Neck cancer can manifest through various signs and symptoms. Some of the leading signs include:

A persistent sore throat (or other type of pain in throat or mouth area)

A neck lump or swelling

Lump or ulcer on the lip or in the mouth that doesn't heal

Changes in voice or hoarseness

Painful swallowing or difficulty swallowing

Earache or ear pain

Less common symptoms are associated with specific head and neck cancer types as per the table below. If your particular symptom is not one of our 6 leading symptoms, please check our cancer types pages above for less common symptoms. You should always discuss your symptom with your GP or dentist if symptoms persist for 3+ weeks, who may refer you to an appropriate specialist as they see necessary.

Lump in neck

Could be -

Persistent sore throat

Could be -

Throat cancer

Lump or ulcer on the lip or in the mouth that doesn’t heal

Could be -

Changes in voice or hoarseness

Could be -

Painful swallowing or difficulty swallowing

Could be -

Earache or ear pain

Could be -

Reported cases of Head and Neck Cancer

There are more than 17,000 new cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed in the UK each year and the numbers are expected to increase by 30% over the next 10 years.

Each year of the 17,000* new cancer diagnoses:

5,500+ are in the upper, middle and lower throat areas
3,500+ are in the mouth/ oral cavity,
2,000 are in the larynx (voice box),
600+ are in the major salivary glands,
600+ are in the nose cavity and sinuses.
4,000 are in the thyroid gland,
A smaller number of cancers found in the lymph nodes with no known site of origin.

*(Based on Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK most recent data)

Head and neck cancer statistics (Leeds trust)

Diagram courtesy of Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust

How to check for head and neck cancer at home

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