Head and neck cancers are often referred to as squamous cell carcinomas since most begin in the squamous cells that line the structures found in the head and the neck. These cancers are further identified by their location in the head or neck.

What is head and neck cancer?
Normally cells divide in a regulated manner. When cells keep dividing uncontrollably a mass of tissue forms called a tumor. The locations of the head and neck cancer are listed below.

• The oral cavity which includes the lips
• The front two-thirds of the tongue
• Thee gums (gingiva)
• The lining inside the cheeks and lips (buccal mucosa)
• The bottom (floor) of the mouth under the tongue
• The bony top of the mouth (hard palate) and the small area behind the wisdom teeth
• The salivary glands under the tongue, in front of the ears, and under the jawbone, as well as in other parts of the upper digestive tract
• The paranasal sinuses, small hollow spaces in the bones of the head surrounding the nose, and the nasal cavity
• The hollow space inside the nose
• The pharynx, a hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and leads to the esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach) and the trachea (the tube that goes to the lungs)
• The larynx, also called the voicebox, which is a short passageway formed by cartilage just below the pharynx in the neck and contains the vocal cords as well as a small piece of tissue, called the epiglottis, which moves to cover the larynx to prevent food from entering the air passages
• The lymph nodes in the upper part of the neck

Cancers of the brain, eye, and thyroid usually are not included in the category of head and neck cancers. Cancers of the scalp, skin, muscles, and bones of the head and neck are also usually not considered cancers of the head and neck.

Diagnosis
Tumors of the head and neck can be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous) tumors. A sample of the tumor, referred to as a biopsy, is critical to determine the cell type and its level of aggressive growth pattern.

The vast majority of tumors in this region arise in the mouth and throat (upper aerodigestive tract). The lining of this region is a mucosal epithelium, which is highly susceptible to the effects of tobacco exposure (both smoking and chewing) as well as excessive drinking. It is also believed that poor oral hygiene may play a role along with genetic predisposition to the development of these tumors.

There are also other types of tumors, both benign and malignant, that can arise in this region from more highly specialized tissues such as the salivary glands. Salivary gland tissue is located not only in the major salivary glands such as the parotid and submandibular gland, but also in the minor salivary glands, which are located underneath the lining of the oral cavity of the mouth and the throat.

When patients suspect they may have a malignancy, they need answers fast. We offer comprehensive consultations by board certified head and neck cancer specialists and ensure rapid access to needed tests.