Head and Neck Cancers – Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

Overview

Head and neck cancers include various types of cancer that develop in the head and neck region. These cancers typically start in the mouth, throat, sinuses, and salivary glands, though other nearby cancers may sometimes be included in this category.

Most head and neck cancers begin in squamous cells. These are the thin, flat cells that form the outer layer of skin and line the inside of the nose, mouth, and throat.

These are called squamous cell carcinomas. Less commonly, these cancers may develop from other cell types in the head and neck area.

Common characteristics of head and neck cancers:

  • They share similar risk factors
  • Treatment approaches often overlap
  • Many begin in the same cell type (squamous cells)

Treatment options for head and neck cancer depend on several factors. These include the cancer’s location, size of the tumor, type of cells involved, and the patient’s overall health.

Healthcare providers may recommend one or more of these treatments:

  • Surgery
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Other targeted therapies

Head and neck cancer is not a single diagnosis but rather a category of related cancers with some shared characteristics. Each specific type requires individualized assessment and treatment planning by medical professionals.

Types of Head and Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancers can develop in many areas. These include:

  • Mouth and Lip Cancers: Affects the tongue, lips, floor of the mouth, and soft palate.
  • Nasal Cancers: Includes esthesioneuroblastoma and paranasal tumors.
  • Throat-Related Cancers: Such as tonsil cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and general throat cancer.
  • Glandular Cancers: Includes thyroid cancer, salivary gland tumors, and pituitary tumors.
  • Skin Cancer: Can affect the head and neck region.

These cancers vary in symptoms and treatment approaches.

Signs and Symptoms

Head and neck cancer can show up in different ways. The symptoms often depend on where the cancer begins. These cancers can start in the mouth, throat, sinuses, or salivary glands.

Mouth and throat symptoms may include:

  • A painless lump in the neck that you can feel
  • Mouth sores that don’t heal
  • Blood in your spit when coughing
  • Voice changes or hoarseness
  • Teeth becoming loose
  • Pain or difficulty when swallowing

Nose-related symptoms might be:

  • Blood coming from the nose
  • Long-lasting stuffy or blocked nose

You might also experience:

  • Non-healing sores on your face, neck, or lips
  • Pain in the ear
  • Unexplained weight loss

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

If you notice any of these symptoms and they worry you, don’t wait. Schedule an appointment with your doctor right away. Early detection is important, especially for symptoms that persist for more than two weeks.

Causes

Head and neck cancers develop when cells in these areas undergo DNA changes. These cancers can affect the mouth, throat, sinuses, and salivary glands.

The exact cause remains unclear to medical experts. DNA contains instructions that control how cells grow, multiply, and die. When DNA changes occur, these instructions become altered.

In healthy tissue, cells follow a normal growth pattern and die when necessary. However, cancer cells receive different instructions:

  • They multiply rapidly
  • They avoid normal cell death
  • They create excess cells

These abnormal cells often form masses called tumors. As tumors grow, they can:

  1. Invade nearby healthy tissue
  2. Destroy normal body structures
  3. Break away and spread to other body areas

When cancer cells spread to distant parts of the body, doctors call this metastatic cancer. The specific causes may vary depending on which part of the head or neck is affected.

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase a person’s chance of developing head and neck cancers:

  • Tobacco Use: Any form of tobacco raises cancer risk, including:
    • Cigarettes and cigars
    • Pipe smoking
    • Chewing tobacco
    • Snuff
  • Alcohol Consumption: Regular heavy drinking significantly increases the likelihood of developing these cancers. The risk becomes even higher when combined with tobacco use.
  • HPV Infection: Human papillomavirus spreads through sexual contact. While it often causes no symptoms and clears on its own, certain strains can lead to cell changes that develop into cancer. Many throat cancers are linked to HPV.
  • Chemical Exposure: Breathing in certain chemicals can raise the risk of sinus and nasal cancers. These exposures might occur:
    • In industrial workplaces
    • From household products
    • Through air pollution
  • UV Light Exposure: Ultraviolet radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds increases the risk of skin cancers on the head and neck.

The location of these cancers varies, with common sites including the mouth, throat, sinuses, and salivary glands. Each location may have specific additional risk factors.

People who have multiple risk factors face greater chances of developing these cancers than those with fewer risk factors. However, some people develop head and neck cancers with no known risk factors.

Ways to Prevent Head and Neck Cancers

Avoid Tobacco Products

Staying away from all tobacco products is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce your risk of head and neck cancers. If you currently smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or use chewing tobacco, creating a quit plan is essential.

Health professionals can recommend effective strategies including medication, nicotine replacement therapies, and support groups to help you succeed.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

If you drink alcohol, do so in limited amounts. For women, this means no more than one standard drink per day. Men should have no more than two drinks daily. Some people may need to avoid alcohol completely.

Remember that alcohol and tobacco together create an even higher risk than either one alone.

Consider HPV Vaccination

The human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause certain types of head and neck cancers, particularly in the throat. Talk with your doctor about whether HPV vaccination is appropriate for you or your family members.

This vaccination works best when given before exposure to the virus.

Use Sun Protection

Protect the skin on your head and neck from harmful UV rays by:

  • Wearing wide-brimmed hats when outdoors
  • Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+) to exposed skin
  • Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen every two hours (more often when swimming)
  • Seeking shade during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
  • Wearing protective clothing that covers your neck

Related Questions

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Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.