[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/07\/head-neck-cancer-types\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/07\/head-neck-cancer-types\/","headline":"Types of Head and Neck Cancer","name":"Types of Head and Neck Cancer","description":"A brain tumor isn't the only kind of cancer that can affect your head. Learn about the different head and neck cancer types and their risk factors.","datePublished":"2015-07-01","dateModified":"2022-03-25","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/hillman.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC Hillman Cancer Center","url":"https:\/\/hillman.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-hillman-cancer-center\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/head-neck-cancer-types.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/head-neck-cancer-types.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/07\/head-neck-cancer-types\/","about":["Cancer Care"],"wordCount":526,"keywords":["cancer","cancer prevention","Head","head and neck cancer symptoms","head and neck cancer types","HPV","human papilloma virus","larynx","medical mondays","neck","pharynx","salivary glands","throat","tobacco use"],"articleBody":"A brain tumor isn’t the only kind of cancer that can affect your head. In fact, there are several different forms of cancer that can occur in your head or neck. Understanding these types of head and neck cancer can help you better understand their risks, symptoms, and diagnosis. Head and neck cancers include those that form in the:Salivary glands –\u00a0These glands are located in the floor of the mouth near the jawboneOral cavity –\u00a0Cancers can grow in or on the lips, tongue, gums, inner lining of the cheeks, and hard palatePharynx –\u00a0Also known as the throat, this hollow tube is about five inches long and cancer can affect any of its three main sectionsLarynx –\u00a0This passageway below the pharynx is also called the voice box and includes the vocal cords and epiglottis — the small piece of tissue that prevents food from entering itNasal cavity and sinuses – These hollow spaces are located inside and around the nose, respectivelyCancer can also affect the thyroid and parathyroid gland, as well as the lymph nodes within the neck (known as metastatic squamous neck cancer).Are You at Risk for Head and Neck Cancer?Some head and neck cancer risk factors are unavoidable. For example, you are more likely to develop these types of cancer if you are of Asian ancestry or have been infected with Epstein-Barr or the human papilloma virus (HPV). Other risk factors aren’t set in stone. The following factors can increase your risk of head and neck cancer \u2014 but are also within your control.Alcohol and tobacco – Use of these two substances (including chewing tobacco) is the number one modifiable risk factor for many types of head and neck cancer.Certain foods – People who consume preserved or salted foods regularly during childhood are more likely to develop some forms of head cancer. Consumption of the tea-like beverage mate is also associated with higher risk.Poor oral hygiene. Missing teeth and otherwise poor oral health appear to be connected to oral cancer risk.Occupational exposure. People who work in jobs where they are regularly exposed to wood dust, asbestos, synthetic fibers, or formaldehyde may be at higher risk for some head and neck cancers. These include jobs in the construction, logging, textile, and metal industries.Radiation exposure. If you have received radiation to the head or neck, you may be at increased risk for cancer of the salivary glands.Head and Neck Cancer SymptomsThese head and neck cancer types can have symptoms such as:Difficulty swallowingHoarse voiceSore throatTrouble breathing or speakingWhite or red patches on the gums or lining of the mouthSinus or ear painSwellingDoctors use a variety of tests to diagnose head and neck cancer, including a physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging tests. If you’ve been diagnosed with one of these conditions, your doctor can explain the head and neck cancer treatment options \u2014 including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and immunotherapy \u2014 that are right for you.Learn more about different types of cancer and new treatments to help halt the spread of the disease. Visit UPMC Hillman Cancer Center online."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Types of Head and Neck Cancer","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/07\/head-neck-cancer-types\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]