Head and Neck Cancer
Rising incidence linked to lifestyle factors
Head and neck cancer is a disease that may occur in the epithelial cells of any tissues or organs in the head and neck region (excluding the eyes, brain, ears, thyroid or esophagus). More than 90% of head and neck cancers begin in the flat "squamous" cells that line the surfaces in the head and neck area,1 such as the mouth, nose and throat, and are thus termed "squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck" (SCCHN). There has been a significant increase in the worldwide incidence of SCCHN over the past decade, particularly among women.2 Globally, there are almost 650,000 new cases of head and neck cancer each year, and over 350,000 deaths.3
Treatment depends on the stage and location of the disease and the overall health of the patient. Often patients will receive a combination of different treatment types, such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.
Head and neck cancer at a glance:
- More than 90% of diagnosed head and neck cancers are of the squamous cell histology, and nearly all SCCHN tumors express epidermal growth factors receptor (EGFR).
Head and neck cancers include epithelial tumors originating from any of the tissues or organs in the head and neck region except the eyes, brain, ears, thyroid and esophagus.
Risk factors include age, smoking, high alcohol intake, and infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). - Head and neck cancer can be particularly difficult for patients because the disease and surgical removal of the tumor affect the most visible parts of the body and usually have severe impact on appearance and day-to-day activities like eating, drinking, breathing and speaking.
Symptoms of head and neck cancer, which may be ignored by patients for a long time, commonly include:
- Unhealed mouth sores which persist for more than two weeks
- Lumps on the lips, mouth, or in the throat
- Difficulty in chewing or pain when swallowing
- Persistent sore throat
- A persistent blocked nose or nose bleeds
- Swelling in the neck or the jaw
- Prolonged hoarseness or a change in the voice
- Earache
- Limited protrusion of the tongue
- Pain in the face or upper jaw
- Unusual white (leukoplakia) or red (erythroplakia) patches in the mouth
