Head & Neck Cancers
Head and neck cancers are cancers that develop in the head or neck region. The neck region includes the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, salivary glands, throat, or larynx (voice box).
Tobacco use and alcohol use can increase your risk of developing head and neck cancers. Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a
risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer. Not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. For more information on risk factors, click
here.
For more information on head and neck cancers, visit the
National Cancer Institute and the
American Cancer Society (the American Cancer Society divides head and neck cancers by specific type).
Other head and neck cancer resources:
En Español:
Information on head and neck cancers was adapted from the
National Cancer Institute.
Oral Cancer Information
Oral cancer is cancer that forms in the tissues of the
oral cavity (the mouth) or the
oropharynx (the part of the throat at the back of the mouth). Most oral cancers are
squamous cell carcinomas. "Squamous cell carcinoma" means that the cancer begins in the thin, flat cells that line the inside of the oral cavity or oropharynx.
Tobacco use, alcohol use, and being infected with
human papillomavirus can increase your risk of developing oral cancer. Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a
risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer. Not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. For more information on risk factors, click
here.
For more information on oral cancer, visit the
National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.
Other oral cancer resources:
En Español:
Information on oral cancer was adapted from the
National Cancer Institute.