Head and neck/oral cancers refer to cancers of the tongue, mouth, tonsil, larynx, pharynx, parotid gland, salivary gland and sinuses.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer may develop in any part of the mouth. Risk factors include smoking or spit (chewing) tobacco and excessive use of alcohol.

Warning signs of oral cancer may include:

• A mouth sore that does not heal
• Mouth pain that doesn't go away
• A lump or mass in the neck
• A lump or thickening in the cheek
• A sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat
• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil or lining of the mouth
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Loosening of the teeth or pain around the teeth or jaw
• Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth
• Persistent bad breath
• Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
• Voice changes
• Weight loss

Larynx Cancer

Laryngeal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the larynx. The larynx (voice box) is located just below the pharynx (throat) in the neck. The larynx contains the vocal cords, which vibrate and make sound when air is directed against them. The sound echoes through the pharynx, mouth, and nose to make a person's voice.

Warning signs of larynx cancer may include:

• A sore throat or cough that does not go away
• Trouble or pain when swallowing
• Ear pain
• A lump in the neck or throat
• A change or hoarseness in the voice

Treatment

Head and neck cancer treatments may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these treatments. Most patients receiving treatment to areas of the head and neck will develop side effects. The side effects are related to the location of the cancer and the type of treatment received. Some of the possible side effects include: dry mouth, taste changes, difficulty swallowing, sores in the mouth or throat, fatigue, changes in voice, skin changes, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Additional Information

• More about oral cancer
• More about larynx cancer