Could You Be at Risk for Head and Neck Cancers?
- Category: Cancer Care
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Although “head and neck cancer” is the general term used by doctors to refer to a group of cancer types that affect the head, neck, throat and mouth, not every cancer that affects your head or neck is considered a head and neck cancer.
A brain tumor is not “head cancer,” and cancer that starts in your esophagus is not considered to be neck cancer or throat cancer.
Head and neck carcinoma—another name for head and neck cancer—is thought to affect around 65,000 people per year. That’s about 4% of cancers diagnosed each year. In Louisiana in 2019, about 13 out of 100,000 people were diagnosed with a type of oral cavity or pharynx (throat) cancer, one of the most common types of head and neck cancers. Another 5 out of 100,000 people were diagnosed with laryngeal cancer.
Head and neck cancers are named by the areas in which they form:
- Laryngeal cancer begins in your larynx, or voice box. Hypopharyngeal cancer, which is related, forms behind your voice box in the lower part of your throat.
- Nasal cavity cancer originates behind your nose, while the related paranasal sinus cancer forms in your sinuses around the nose.
- Nasopharyngeal cancer starts behind your nose in the upper part of your throat.
- Oral cavity cancer forms in the front part of your mouth, while oropharyngeal cancer originates in the back of your mouth and the middle part of your throat.
- Salivary gland cancer forms in the glands that produce spit in your mouth. Squamous cell carcinomas are the most common type of head and neck cancers. However, some cancers that start in the salivary glands are adenocarcinomas.
Risk factors for head and neck cancer
No cancer is entirely preventable. Fortunately, there are ways to lower your risk for head and neck cancers.
- The biggest risk factors for most head and neck cancers are smoking, using oral tobacco, and drinking alcohol. Quitting these habits will lower your risk of multiple cancers, in addition head and neck cancers.
- The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common cause of oropharyngeal cancer. Getting vaccinated for HPV can prevent this cancer in many people (along with HPV-caused anal, cervical and penile cancers). Regular testing for HPV can let you know if you have it so you can look for signs and practice safe sex so you don’t spread it to others.
- Consumption of maté, paan (betel quid) and some foods very high in salt are linked to head and neck cancers.
- Exposure to wood, metal or other toxic dust at the workplace (i.e., not household dust) can also cause head and neck cancers.
Signs you could have head and neck cancer
Sometimes these cancers are detected during a routine dental visit or primary care wellness checkup. But other warning symptoms include:
- Abnormal mouth or gum bleeding
- Headaches
- Jaw or mouth pain
- Numbness in the face or mouth
- Problems with dentures fitting
- Red or white patches on the gums
- Sinus pain
- Swelling in the neck or chin
- Tooth pain
- Trouble breathing
- Trouble speaking
- Trouble swallowing
- Visible neck tumors or lumps
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms of throat, neck or head cancer, talk to your doctor about what is going on. Diagnostic imaging can help determine if cancer is involved.
