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Each year, around 800 Queenslanders are diagnosed with head and neck cancer, which can impact vital functions such as speaking and swallowing. While it’s a challenging diagnosis to process, if you or someone you care about is facing this diagnosis, Cancer Council Queensland can help, so you don’t have to go through cancer alone.
Our team is here to listen and support you.
Head and neck cancer is a broad term for a group of cancers that start in the tissues or lymph nodes in the head and neck area. It can affect the mouth, tongue, palate, gums, salivary glands, tonsils, throat, voice box, nose, and sinuses.
While some tumours in this area may be benign (non-cancerous), only malignant tumours are classified as cancer.
Although these cancers are different, they are treated similarly, so are considered as one group.
Around 800 Queenslanders are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year, with men three times more likely than women to be affected.
Head and neck cancers are classified by the area where they begin.
Cancer that starts in the mouth is called oral cancer. Cancer can begin in any part of the mouth, which is made up of the lips and oral cavity. The oral cavity includes the gums, inside lining of the cheek and lips, front two-thirds of the tongue, floor of the mouth under the tongue, bony roof of the mouth (hard palate), and the small area behind the wisdom teeth. A common treatment is surgery – particularly in the beginning stages of mouth cancer.
There are three pairs of major salivary glands – the parotid (in front of the ears), sublingual (under the tongue) and submandibular gland (under the lower jaw). There are also hundreds of smaller glands throughout the lining of the mouth, nose and throat. These are known as minor salivary glands. Cancer can start in the major or minor salivary glands.
Also called the pharynx, the throat is a hollow tube behind the nose leading to the food pipe (oesophagus) and windpipe (trachea). Cancer can occur in the three parts of the pharynx – the nasopharynx, oropharynx, or hypopharynx, but are treated differently. Symptoms of throat cancer can include a dull pain in the neck, difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth wide, a persistent sore throat or cough, or coughing up bloody mucus.
The voice box, also known as the larynx, is the entryway to the windpipe. The cancer that starts in the larynx is called ‘laryngeal cancer’.
The nasal cavity is the large, hollow space behind the nose. The bones around the nasal cavity have a group of small, air-filled spaces called the paranasal sinuses. Cancer that starts in the upper part of the throat behind the nose is called nasopharyngeal cancer.
Head and neck cancers are linked to a few key risk factors, with smoking and alcohol consumption and infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) being three of the biggest. When smoking and alcohol consumption are combined, the likelihood of developing these cancers dramatically increases compared to either just drinking or smoking.
Additional risk factors only account for a small proportion of head and neck cancers, and include:
In the early stages, there may not be any noticeable signs and symptoms of head and neck cancer. When symptoms do occur, the most common symptom is a lump in the neck. These symptoms can also occur with other illnesses and do not necessarily mean you have cancer. Only medical tests can confirm a diagnosis.
Seek medical advice immediately if you experience symptoms including:
Mouth (oral) cancers
Throat (pharyngeal) cancers
Voice Box (laryngeal) cancers
Nose (nasal cavity of sinus) cancers
Salivary gland cancers
If you have concerns, chat to your doctor immediately. You may also mention issues such as mouth sores, swelling or a change of colour in your mouth to your dentist as they are also trained to look for signs of mouth cancer. Your GP or dentist may refer you to a specialist.
Depending on your symptoms, diagnosing head and neck cancer may involve:
Waiting for your test results and receiving a diagnosis can be a stressful time. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions. It may help to talk to a friend or family member, a healthcare professional, or call Cancer Council Queensland on 13 11 20.
There are a range of treatment options for head and neck cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. These may be used individually or in combination. Your treatment plan will depend on the type, location and stage of the tumour, your general health.
When we talk about prognosis, we’re talking about the likely or expected outcome of the disease. It is important to remember that not even an expert can predict the exact way a disease will progress. Earlier diagnosis usually leads to better outcomes, but even advanced cases may respond well to treatment.
Factors influencing your prognosis include test results, the type of the cancer, its HPV status, the rate and depth of the cancer’s growth, how likely the cancer is to respond to treatment and other factors such as your overall health, age and level of fitness.
Talking about prognosis and the future can feel stressful. Sharing your concerns with loved ones or seeking support can help. If you’d like more information or some emotional support, you can call Cancer Council Queensland on 13 11 20.
An appointment with your GP or dentist is your first step if you have concerns or symptoms that may be related to head and neck cancer. They will perform an initial physical examination and may order further tests. You may also be referred to a specialist.
Diagnostic tools or methods that may be used include an endoscope, surgery, or a needle biopsy, X-Ray, CT scan, MRI or PET-CT scan.
An itchy neck is not a typical symptom of head and neck cancer, but if you have symptoms that are unusual for you, it is worth having them checked out by a doctor.
In their early stages, head and neck cancers may have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the most common symptom is a lump in the neck (caused by cancer that has spread to a lymph node). Other symptoms will depend on the type of head and neck cancer.
It is important to know what is normal for you, and if you notice anything that has changed, see your doctor. Some things to watch out for include difficulty or pain when swallowing, pain in the ears, a persistent sore throat or cough, headaches or earaches.
