Head and neck cancer & treatment

What are head and neck cancers?

Head and neck cancers usually begin in the squamous cells that line the moist, mucosal surfaces inside the head and neck areas. For example, inside the mouth, in the nose and in the throat.

Cancers that begin in the salivary glands or thyroid are much less common.

Head and neck cancers are named after the area they start in.

Types of head and neck cancers

Mouth cancers include:

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)
The small area of the gum behind the wisdom teeth

The throat is a muscular hollow tube about 5 inches long. It starts behind the nose and leads to the oesophagus – it’s the continuation of the nose and mouth. Throat cancer is unusual. But it’s more common in men in their 60s and 70s. Throat cancer often begins in the flat cells that line the inside of the throat.

Common throat cancer symptoms include:

A cough
Difficulty swallowing
A sore throat
Weight loss
Ear ache
Hoarseness while speaking

The larynx or ‘voice box’, because it contains your vocal cords, is a short passageway in the neck. It also has a small piece of tissue, called the epiglottis. This moves to cover the larynx to prevent food from getting into airways when we eat.

Symptoms include:

Difficulty or pain when swallowing
A sore throat or cough that does not go away
Ear ache
A lump in the neck or throat
A change in the voice or hoarseness

Paranasal cancer affects the sinuses, or spaces in the bones of the face near the nose.

Most people who have this type of cancer have a blockage in the nose. Other symptoms may include:

Nose bleeds
Loss of smell
Mucus coming from the nose
Mucus draining into the back of your nose and throat
Eye problems, including double vision, loss of sight, watery eyes
Loose teeth
Lumps or swellings on the face
Difficulty opening the mouth

The salivary glands produce saliva. The major salivary glands are in the floor of the mouth near the jawbone. Salivary gland cancer is unusual. It’s more common in people aged over 50.

Swelling on the side of the face – in front of the ear or under the jawbone
Numbness in part of your face
Muscle weakness on one side of your face
Problems with swallowing
Not being able to open your mouth wide
Pain in the area

Mouth cancers include:

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)
The small area of the gum behind the wisdom teeth

Common throat cancer symptoms include:

A cough
Difficulty swallowing
A sore throat
Weight loss
Ear ache
Hoarseness while speaking

Symptoms include:

Difficulty or pain when swallowing
A sore throat or cough that does not go away
Ear ache
A lump in the neck or throat
A change in the voice or hoarseness

Paranasal cancer affects the sinuses, or spaces in the bones of the face near the nose.

Most people who have this type of cancer have a blockage in the nose. Other symptoms may include:

Nose bleeds
Loss of smell
Mucus coming from the nose
Mucus draining into the back of your nose and throat
Eye problems, including double vision, loss of sight, watery eyes
Loose teeth
Lumps or swellings on the face
Difficulty opening the mouth

The salivary glands produce saliva. The major salivary glands are in the floor of the mouth near the jawbone. Salivary gland cancer is unusual. It’s more common in people aged over 50.

Swelling on the side of the face – in front of the ear or under the jawbone
Numbness in part of your face
Muscle weakness on one side of your face
Problems with swallowing
Not being able to open your mouth wide
Pain in the area

Leonie shares her story

Whilst studying for her PhD in education, Leonie found herself unable to complete simple tasks and after investigation, her doctors discovered she had a brain tumour. A renowned indigenous artist and proud Wirajuri woman, Leonie shares how her art helps with her healing process and involves her local community in cancer awareness.

Treatments we cover

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.

Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.

Helpful resources

We understand that you may still have some unanswered questions, and we’re here to help you in any way we can. But if you are still seeking answers visit Targeting Cancer for further information about this condition or contact a staff member from a centre near you.