We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Types of Head and Neck Cancer?

By P.S. Jones
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,712
Share

Head and neck cancer is any cancer that arises in the head or neck region, including the nasal cavity and larynx, as well as the mouth and throat. Head and neck cancers are sometimes called silent killers because they often go undetected until the cancer spreads to the lymph nodes in the neck. If caught early, most head and neck cancer is highly treatable with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. These types of cancers are usually associated with environmental or lifestyle risk factors, such as smoking or exposure to ultra violet (UV) light. These cancers are classified by where they originate in the head or neck region, such as the mouth, throat, or larynx.

Oral cancer is a head and neck cancer that originates in the mouth. It generally begins as a small lesion in the oral cavity and spreads quickly, making its way to the nasal cavity or sinus region. Under the oral cancer category, there are several types of cancer. Adenocarcinoma is found in the salivary glands, while lymphoma occurs in the lymph tissues. Most oral cancer is a squamous cell carcinoma on the lips or tissues lining the mouth, resembling skin cancer.

The head and neck cancer that occurs in the throat can be categorized into three types. Nasopharyngeal cancer occurs where the nasal cavities and upper part of the throat connect. Oropharyngeal cancer occurs in the middle of the throat where base of the tongue and the tonsils are. Hypopharyngeal cancer occurs at the bottom of the throat, near the area the pyriform sinuses are located, and tend to be diagnosed in the late stages of the cancer. This is why hypopharyngeal cancers have the worst survival rate of any cancer in the throat.

Laryngeal cancer is a head and neck cancer that begins in the larynx. Glottic cancer occurs on the actual vocal folds. Supraglottic cancer happens in the tissue right above the vocal folds, while subglottic cancer occurs in the tissue below the vocal folds. Laryngeal cancer has been linked strongly to smoking. Most laryngeal cancers are glottic cancer, with supraglottic cancers the next common type and the subglottic cancer the most infrequent.

The trachea is the airway through which air passes through the human body. Cancer in the trachea is not necessarily a head and throat cancer. While it may be classified as such because its biology is so similar to the other head and neck cancers, trachea cancer is actually considered a lung cancer.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-different-types-of-head-and-neck-cancer.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.