Head and neck cancers
This information is an extract from the booklet Understanding
head and neck cancers. You may find the full booklet helpful.
We can send you a copy free – see page 4.
Cancer can occur in any of the tissues or organs in the
head and neck. There are over 30 different places that can
develop cancer in the head and neck area.
Cancer of the oral cavity
The oral cavity includes the lips and the mouth (see diagram
below). Cancer can occur in the tongue, the roof of the
mouth (the hard palate), the gums, the floor of the mouth
(under the tongue) and the inner lining of the lips and
cheeks (sometimes referred to as the buccal mucosa).
Hard palate
Top lip
Soft palate
Oropharynx
Right tonsil
Left tonsil
Tongue
Bottom lip
The oral cavity
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Head and neck cancers
Oropharyngeal cancer
This develops in the oropharynx, the part of the throat that
is directly behind the mouth (see diagram below). It includes
the soft part of the roof of the mouth (the soft palate), the
base of the tongue (the part you can’t see), the side walls of
the throat (where the tonsils are found) and the back wall of
the throat (also called the posterior pharyngeal wall).
Cancer of the nose
Cancers can develop in the skin of the nostril and the lining
of the nose.
The highest part of the throat, which lies behind the nose, is
called the nasopharynx. Cancers that occur here are known
as nasopharyngeal cancer.
Alongside the nose, in the bones of the face, lie air spaces
known as the sinuses (or paranasal sinuses). Cancers can
develop in the linings of these areas too.
We have fact sheets on cancer of the nasopharynx and
paranasal sinus cancer, which we can send you.
Paranasal sinus
Nasal cavity
Paranasal sinus
Nasopharynx
Posterior pharyngeal wall
Oropharynx
Tongue
Floor of mouth
Base of tongue
Diagram showing a cross-section of the head
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Head and neck cancers
Cancer of the ear
Cancers of the ear are rare. Most develop in the skin of the
ear. They can develop in the structures deep inside the ear,
but these cancers are very rare.
Cancer of the salivary gland
Cancers affecting the salivary glands are also rare. There
are different types of salivary gland cancer, depending on
the type of cell that has become cancerous. We have a
fact sheet which gives more information on salivary gland
cancers.
Cancer of the eye
Cancers can develop in the skin of the eyelids. Cancers
are very unusual in the eye itself. When they do occur, they
are usually a type called ocular melanoma. Occasionally
a cancer of the white blood cells, called lymphoma, can
develop behind the eye. In very rare cases, cancer may
spread into the eye from a cancer elsewhere in the body; for
example, the breast.
Cancer of the voice box (larynx) and
cancer of the thyroid gland
Cancer can also develop in the voice box (larynx) or in the
thyroid gland, which are both in the neck.
We have separate booklets about laryngeal and
thyroid cancers which we can send you.
Types of head and neck cancer
About 90% of head and neck cancers are of a type called
squamous cell carcinoma. These start in the cells that
form the lining of the mouth, nose, throat or ear, or the
surface layer covering the tongue.
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Head and neck cancers
Head and neck cancers can also develop from other types
of cells:
• Lymphomas develop from the cells of the lymphatic
system.
• Adenocarcinomas develop from cells that form the
lining of glands in the body.
• Sarcomas develop from the cells which make up
muscles, cartilage or blood vessels.
• Melanomas start from cells called melanocytes, which
give colour to the eyes and skin.
More information and support
If you have any questions about cancer, ask
Macmillan. If you need support, ask Macmillan. Or if
you just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.
Our cancer support specialists are here for everyone
living with cancer, whatever you need.
Call free on 0808 808 00 00, Monday–Friday,
9am–8pm
www.macmillan.org.uk
We make every effort to ensure that the information we provide is accurate but it
should not be relied upon to reflect the current state of medical research, which is
constantly changing. If you are concerned about your health, you should consult
your doctor. Macmillan cannot accept liability for any loss or damage resulting from
any inaccuracy in this information or third party information such as information on
websites to which we link. © Macmillan Cancer Support 2010. Registered charity
in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604).
Registered office 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7UQ
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Questions about cancer? Ask Macmillan 0808 808 00 00 www.macmillan.org.uk