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The term head and neck cancers refers to a group of cancer types found in the region of the head and neck, usually excluding cancers of the brain. Sometimes called ENT (ear, nose and throat) cancers, these cancers include tumors found in the oral cavity (lips, tongue, teeth, gums, mouth), oropharynx (back third of the tongue, the back of the throat and the tonsils), nasopharynx (area behind the nose), and larynx (voice box, vocal cords).

The most frequently occurring cancer of the head and neck area are the oral cancers and laryngeal cancers. Approximately half of head and neck cancers occur in the oral cavity and a third occur in the larynx. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 70,000 individuals will be diagnosed with cancers of the head and neck area this year.

• Cancer of the lip is more common in men than in women, and is more likely to develop in people with light-colored skin who spend a lot of time in the sun.
• Never start smoking or use smokeless tobacco. Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages, if you drink at all. Quitting tobacco and alcohol greatly lowers your risk of developing these cancers, even after many years of use.
• Typical symptoms of head and neck cancer include a lump or sore (for example, in the mouth) that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice.

Evaluation and Treatment
The Head and Neck Cancer Program at Blumenthal Cancer Center holds a monthly multidisciplinary clinic for new patients. The specific diagnostic tests used for each case depends on the location of the tumor. They may include:

• Complete physical examination of the oral and nasal cavities
• Laryngoscopy
• X-rays "
• CT scans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan
• Biopsy

The choice of treatment depends on the location and the size of the tumor, as well as whether it has spread. Radiation and surgery are the primary modes of first line treatment.