Cancers that are known collectively as head and neck cancers usually begin in the squamous cells that line the mucosal surfaces of the head and neck (for example, those inside the mouth, throat, and voice box). These cancers are referred to as squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Head and neck cancers can also begin in the salivary glands, sinuses, or muscles or nerves in the head and neck, but these types of cancer are much less common than squamous cell carcinomas.
If a squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is going to spread, it almost always does so locally and/or to the lymph nodes in the neck. Sometimes, cancerous squamous cells can be found in the lymph nodes of the upper neck when there is no evidence of cancer in other parts of the head and neck, possibly because the original primary tumor is too small. When this happens, the cancer is called metastatic squamous cell carcinoma with unknown (occult) primary. More information about this cancer type can be found in the Metastatic Squamous Neck Cancer with Occult Primary (PDQ®) cancer treatment summary.
[National Cancer Institute]
Head and neck cancers account for nearly 4% of all cancers in the United States. These cancers are more than twice as common among men as they are among women. Head and neck cancers are also diagnosed more often among people over age 50 than they are among younger people.
Researchers estimated that more than 68,000 men and women in the United States would be diagnosed with head and neck cancers in 2021. Most will be diagnosed with mouth, throat, or voice box cancer. Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer and salivary gland cancer are much less common.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive, recurrent neoplasm that is characterized by poor prognosis and low overall survival. [Science Direct]
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck occurs in the outermost surface of the skin or certain tissues within the head and neck region including the throat, mouth, sinuses and nose. Squamous cell carcinoma makes up about 90 percent of all head and neck cancers. [Penn Medicine]
The predominant environmental risk factors for developing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are the use of alcohol and tobacco, immunosuppression, and exposure to high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) or Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). However, not all smokers and drinkers, and not all those exposed to HPV or EBV, develop cancers. In fact, only 10%–15% of smokers develop lung cancer, and an even smaller proportion is diagnosed with HNSCC. Therefore HNSCC appears to be multifactorial, and genetic predisposition and environmental factors may play an equally important role in tumorigenesis. [Science Direct]
is located in Boston next to Massachusetts General Hospital. Their internationally recognized head and neck cancer program focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of all types and stages of cancers in the throat, larynx (voice box), nose, sinuses, salivary glands, and mouth.
Their head and neck specialists offer the full breadth of surgical techniques and approaches for the removal of head and neck tumors. Each team of surgeons has completed advanced training in head and neck oncology and microvascular surgery. When combined with their expertise in minimally invasive techniques, robotic surgery, skull-base surgery, voice restoration, and cutaneous malignancies; Mass Eye and Ear’s team of head and neck specialists are one of the most experienced and versatile teams in the country.
The Willie Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to raising awareness and supporting the search for a cure of Head and Neck Cancer. Every contribution goes directly to Mass Eye and Ear in Boston, Massachusetts; helping to fund groundbreaking research and the fight to end cancer.
