Head & Neck Cancer Diagnosis

What is hypopharyngeal cancer?

Hypopharyngeal cancer is a form of throat cancer that starts in the lower part of the throat. The hypopharynx is located at the entrance of your esophagus, behind your voice box.

People who smoke or use tobacco are at risk of developing throat cancer. Drinking too much alcohol over a long time also increases risk. Smoking and drinking alcohol combined lead to an increased risk for throat cancer.

Most throat cancers develop in adults older than 50. Men are more likely than women to develop throat cancer. Most patients report a palpable lump in the neck or difficulty swallowing or speaking as the first sign of having a hypopharyngeal cancer.

What is laryngeal cancer?

Laryngeal cancer is another form of throat cancer that occurs in the voice box, called the larynx. Tobacco use and smoking increases your risk of developing throat cancer. Drinking too much alcohol over a long time also increases risk. Hoarseness and voice changes are the first signs of laryngeal cancer.

Throat cancers are more likely to develop in adults older than 50, especially men.

What is nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer?

Nasal cavity cancer forms in the nasal passageway, the space behind your nose located just above the roof of the mouth where mucus is produced. Paranasal sinus cancer forms in the sinus passages, which are a network of tunnels or air cavities in the face.

New nose bleeds or persistent nasal obstruction without a history of allergies are the first signs of these rare tumors.

What is nasopharyngeal cancer ?

Nasopharyngeal cancer occurs in the nasopharynx, located just above the back of your throat and behind the nose. Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is very rare and often difficult to detect.

What is oral cavity cancer?

Oral cavity cancer, also called oral cancer, begins in the mouth. Most oral cancer is a type of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cells are thin, flat cells that form our top layer of skin, including inside the mouth.

Chewing tobacco and smoking greatly increase the risk of oral cavity cancer. Your dentist should check your mouth visually at every appointment.

What is oropharyngeal cancer ?

Oropharyngeal cancer occurs in the oropharynx, the part of the throat behind the mouth. The oropharynx is located below the nasopharynx, where the oral cavity stops. It includes the back part or base of the tongue, the soft palate (the back part of the roof of the mouth), the tonsils, and the walls of the throat. More than 90% of oral or oropharynx cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cells are the cells that form our top layer of skin.

What is salivary gland cancer?

Salivary gland tumors are abnormal cells growing in the gland or in the tubes (ducts) that drain the salivary glands.The salivary glands are located around the mouth. They produce saliva, which moistens food to help with chewing and swallowing. Saliva also helps to protect teeth from decay.

There are 3 main pairs of salivary glands. The parotid glands are the largest. They are located in each cheek in front of the ears. Two submandibular glands are under the floor of the mouth under both sides of the jaw. Two sublingual glands are under the floor of the mouth. There are also hundreds of small salivary glands lining the rest of the mouth.

Salivary glands empty saliva into the mouth through ducts that open at various places in the mouth.

Salivary gland tumors are rare. The most common type of salivary gland tumor is a slow-growing non-cancerous (benign) tumor of the parotid gland. The tumor gradually increases the size of the gland. However, some of these tumors can be cancerous (malignant).

What is skin cancer?

The majority of head and neck skin cancers are nonmelanoma skin cancers. Head and neck skin cancers often form in squamous cells, which are flat, scale-like cells on the top surface of our skin. Squamous cells form the lining of the mouth and throat.

What is thyroid cancer?

Thyroid cancer is a cancer that starts in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located inside the front of your lower neck.Thyroid cancer can occur in people of any age.

There are several types of thyroid cancer:

• Anaplastic carcinoma (also called giant and spindle cell cancer) is the most dangerous form of thyroid cancer. It is rare, and spreads quickly.
• Follicular tumors usually grow slowly. Its outlook is similar to papillary cancer, and its treatment is the same.
• Medullary carcinoma is a cancer of non-thyroid cells that are normally present in the thyroid gland. This form of thyroid cancer tends to occur in families.
• Papillary carcinoma is the most common type, and it usually affects women of childbearing age. It spreads slowly and is the least dangerous type of thyroid cancer.