Head and Neck Cancers

Learn about head and neck cancers, their types, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options to help you recognize and manage this disease.
Head and Neck Cancers Fact Sheet

Head and neck cancer develops when cancerous cells grow in areas of the head or neck. These cancers can begin in the larynx (voice box), hypopharynx (lower throat), nasopharynx (upper throat), oral cavity (mouth), oropharynx (throat), nose, paranasal sinuses, or salivary glands.

The name of the cancer is based on where it starts. For example, cancers that begin in the throat are called pharyngeal cancer. “Pharynx” is the medical term for throat.

Statistics

  • While statistics are not available for all head and neck cancer types, in 2026, an estimated 60,480 new cases of oral cavity and
    pharynx cancers will be diagnosed in the United States.
  • An estimated 13,150 people will die from cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx in 2026.
  • The five-year survival rate for cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx is 69% overall.

Risk Factors

The major risk factors for head and neck cancer are:

  • Tobacco Use: Tobacco contains harmful chemicals that can damage the DNA in the mouth, throat, and voice box.
  • Heavy Alcohol Consumption: Heavy, long-term alcohol use can significantly increase risk of head and neck cancers.
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection: Ongoing infection with high-risk HPV, especially HPV 16, is a significant risk factor for head and neck cancer.

Symptoms

The symptoms of head and neck cancer differ from person to person, but here are some common signs:

  • Sores in the mouth that bleed easily and do not heal
  • Coughing up blood
  • Persistent red or white patch in the mouth or throat
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Lump in the mouth or neck
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Thickening of tissue in the throat or mouth
  • Difficulty moving the tongue or jaw
  • Ear pain

Prevention

Many head and neck cancers can be prevented. You can lower your risk by:

  • Quitting smoking
  • Wearing sunscreen regularly to protect against UV rays
  • Limiting or avoiding alcohol use
  • Getting regular dental checkups, which can help detect oral, head, and neck cancers early
  • Getting the HPV vaccine to prevent new infections with the types of HPV that can cause oropharyngeal and other cancers

Treatment Options

Depending on the stage of disease, location of the tumor, and whether it tests positive for HPV, head and neck cancer may be treated using one or a combination of the following treatments:

  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Immunotherapy