Head and neck cancer

What is head and neck cancer?

There are more than 30 areas within the head and neck where cancer can develop, including the:

• Mouth and lips
• Voice box (larynx)
• Throat (pharynx)
• Salivary glands
• Nose and sinuses
• Area at the back of the nose and mouth (nasopharynx)

Symptoms can include:

• An ulcer anywhere in the mouth area (including the tongue) lasting for more than three weeks
• A red patch or red and white patch anywhere inside the mouth
• A white patch on its own anywhere inside the mouth
• A lump in the neck that does not go away after two to three weeks
• A lump on the lip or anywhere inside the mouth that does not go away
• A sore tongue that is not getting better
• Throat pain, persistent hoarseness and difficulty swallowing that is not improving.

Self-check guide:

Early detection and diagnosis are crucial to successful treatment of head and neck cancers.

If you discover any abnormal, irregular, or discoloured areas or lumps that are different on one side compared to the other, contact your GP practice or dentist.

• Check for neck lumps 
• Check the inside of your lips and cheeks
• Check your gums
• Check your tongue, back of throat, roof of your mouth and under your tongue. You may need a torch to look inside.

What are the causes?

• Smoking increases the risk of laryngeal, pharyngeal, nasopharyngeal and mouth cancer
• High alcohol consumption increases the risk of pharyngeal, mouth and laryngeal cancer
• Infection by human papilloma virus (HPV) causes 70% of pharyngeal cancer cases and 1% of mouth cancer cases
• Infection by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes 80% of cases of nasopharyngeal cancer.

What should I do if I’m worried?

If you have any of these symptoms, speak to your GP practice in the first instance, or if you have symptoms in your mouth, you can also speak to your dentist.

Screening and tests are available when referred by your GP practice.