What is head and neck cancer?
Head and neck cancer is a term used to describe a number of different malignant tumours that develop in or around the mouth, lip and gum, nose, throat, larynx (voice box), and salivary gland.1
Areas of the head and neck where cancers begins: 2
1. Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity
2. Oral cavity
3. Salivary glands
4. Larynx (voice box)
5. Pharynx (cavity behind the nose and mouth, connecting both to the esophagus)
In Canada, it was estimated that nearly 7,500 new cases of head and neck cancer would be diagnosed in 2022.3
The incidence of head and neck cancer is
There are several factors that greatly increase the risk of head and neck cancer: 4-6
Tobacco & alcohol use
Tobacco and alcohol use are two of the biggest risk factors for head and neck cancers — and the longer and more frequently you use them, the greater the risk. People who use both tobacco and alcohol have a higher likelihood of developing these cancers than people who use either tobacco or alcohol alone.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
People infected with HPV, a sexually transmitted infection, are more likely to develop head and neck cancer. For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who do not clear the virus, it can cause certain head and neck cancers later in life.
Other risk factors include:4-6
Prolonged sun
exposure
Epstein-Barr virus
Genetics
Poor oral/dental hygiene
Environmental/
occupational inhalants
Poor nutrition
References
1 Canadian Cancer Society. Head and neck cancers. Available at: https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/resources/glossary/h/head-and-neck-cancers (Last accessed March 7, 2023).
2 Cancer.Net. Head and Neck Cancer: Introduction. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/head-and-neck-cancer/introduction (Last accessed March 7, 2023).
3 Canadian Cancer Society. Risk factors for oral cancer. Available at: https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/hypopharyngeal/statistics (Last accessed March 7, 2023).
4 Canadian Cancer Society. Risk factors for oral cancer. Available at: https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/hypopharyngeal/statistics (Last accessed March 7, 2023).
5 Canadian Cancer Society. Risk factors for oropharyngeal cancer. Available at: https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/oropharyngeal/risks (Last accessed March 7, 2023).
6 Cancer.Net. Head and Neck Cancer: Risk Factors and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/head-and-neck-cancer/risk-factors-and-prevention (Last accessed March 7, 2023).
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