Causes

Two of the most common causes of head and neck cancer include tobacco use, including smokeless tobacco, and alcohol consumption. This is especially true for cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. Eighty-five percent of these cancers are linked to tobacco use. In addition, people who use both tobacco and alcohol are at more than double the risk of developing these cancers than people who use either tobacco or alcohol alone. Other risk-factors for head and neck tumors can involve radiation exposure, environmental pollutants and family history.

Symptoms

Symptoms common to several head and neck cancer sites include a lump, a sore that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing and a change or hoarseness in the voice. However, symptoms are typically specific to the area where the cancer presents. On average, 75% of individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancer are not referred to a specialist until they are already in the later stages of their disease. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important that you talk to your physician immediately.

Oral Cavity This includes the lips and front two thirds of the tongue, the gums, the lining of the cheeks and lips, the floor of the mouth, the bony top of the mouth, (hard palate) and the small area behind the wisdom teeth.
Symptoms: A white or red patch on the gums, tongue or lining of the mouth, a swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly and unusual bleeding or pain in the mouth.
Salivary Glands These are under the tongue, in front of the ears, under the jawbone and in parts of the upper digestive tract.
Symptoms: Swelling or growth along the sides of the face or under the chin or around the jawbone (Mandible) and pain in the teeth. Facial nerve weakness may also occur.
Paranasal Sinuses and Nasal Cavity The paranasal sinuses are small, hollow spaces behind the nose. The nasal cavity is the hollow space inside the nose.
Symptoms: Sinuses that are blocked and do not clear, chronic sinus infections that do not respond to antibiotics, bleeding through the nose, frequent headaches and pain in the upper teeth.
Skin Skin cancers involve scalp, face, or neck and includes basal cell and squamous cell cancers as well as melanomas.
Symptoms: Persistent crusting, bleeding or discoloration. Black or dark moles or changes in their appearance or sensation.
Lymph Nodes These can sometimes be felt in the neck and may be a sign of inflammation or malignancy.
Symptoms: Lumps or growths which could represent tumors or lymph nodes.
Pharynx This is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and leads to the esophagus. There are three parts to the Pharynx:
1. Nasopharynx - This is the upper part of the pharynx behind the nose. Symptoms: This is the upper part of the pharynx behind the nose. 2. Oropharynx - Trouble breathing or speaking, frequent headaches, pain or ringing in the ears or trouble hearing. Symptoms : Ear Pain (Otalgia), painful or difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) 3. Hypopharynx - This is the lower part of the pharynx. Symptoms: Ear pain, painful or difficulty swallowing.
Larynx This is the voice box that contains the vocal cords.
Symptoms: Pain, hoarseness, or difficult or noisy breathing (stridor).
Thyroid Your thyroid is a small bow tie or butterfly-shaped gland, lying across and adjacent to the Adam’s Apple area.
Symptoms: Lower frontal neck mass, hoarseness, sensation of difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing.