Head & Neck Cancers
You have just been diagnosed with a tumor of the head or neck area
or have learned that your physician may suspect a tumor and further
testing is needed. You are probably on an emotional roller coaster
– scared, mad, confused, overwhelmed.
We’re here to help you.
What are Head and Neck Cancers?
Most head and neck cancers begin in the squamous cells that
line the structures found in the head and neck. Squamous cells are
flat cells that cover inside and outside surfaces of the body. They
are found in the tissues that form the surface of the skin, the
lining of the hollow organs of the body (such as the bladder, kidney
and uterus), and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts.
Because of this, head and neck cancers often are referred to as
“squamous cell carcinomas.” Some head and neck cancers
begin in other types of cells. For example, cancers that begin in
glandular cells are called adenocarcinomas.
Cancers of the head and neck are further identified by the area
in which they begin*:
Oral cavity — This includes the lips, the front two-thirds
of the tongue, the gums, the lining inside the cheeks and lips,
the floor of the mouth under the tongue, the bony top of the mouth
(hard palate) and the small area behind the wisdom teeth.
Salivary glands — These are in several places: under
the tongue, in front of the ears and under the jawbone, as well
as in other parts of the upper digestive tract.
Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity — The paranasal
sinuses are small hollow spaces in the bones of the head surrounding
the nose. The nasal cavity is the hollow space inside the nose.
Pharynx — This is a hollow tube about five inches
long that starts behind the nose and leads to the esophagus and
the trachea. The pharynx has three parts:
- Nasopharynx — The upper part of the pharynx behind the nose.
- Oropharynx — The middle part of the pharynx that includes
the soft palate (the back of the mouth), the base of the tongue
and the tonsils.
- Hypopharynx — The lower part of the pharynx.
Larynx — Also called the voice box, this is a short
passageway formed by cartilage just below the pharynx in the neck.
The larynx contains the vocal cords. It also has a small piece of
tissue, called the epiglottis, which moves to cover the larynx to
prevent food from entering the air passages.
Lymph nodes in the upper part of the neck — Sometimes
squamous cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes of the upper
neck when there is no evidence of cancer in other parts of the head
and 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 also are not usually
considered cancers of the head and neck.
*Source: National Cancer Institute