{"id":6844,"date":"2023-01-30T14:46:19","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T14:46:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/?post_type=story&#038;p=6844"},"modified":"2025-03-11T18:25:42","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T18:25:42","slug":"6844","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/stories\/6844\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding head and neck cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><style>\n.green { color: #1d8680; line-height: 2.5rem; }<br \/>\n.greenbg { background: #1d8680; padding: 2rem 10rem 3rem 10rem; }<br \/>\n.offwhite { background: #F7F7F7; padding: 4rem 4rem 0px; }<br \/>\n.white { color: #fff; }<br \/>\n.white ul li::before, .greenbg ul li::before { color: #fff !important; }<br \/>\n.lrg-txt { line-height: 2.5rem; }<br \/>\n.lightgrey { background: #F7F7F7; padding: 2rem 5rem 3rem 5rem; }<br \/>\n.nogap { gap: 0 !important; }<br \/>\n.lftbrdr { border-left: 2px #ffffff solid; padding-left: 2rem; margin-right: 1rem; }<br \/>\n<\/style>\n<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile full has-background\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(29,134,128) 0%,rgb(29,134,128) 100%)\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<span style=\"color: white\"><h1><strong>Understanding head and neck cancer<\/strong><\/h1><\/span>\n\n\n\n<\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-flow: row nowrap;\">\n<p class=\"text-descriptive\" style=\"color: white;\">Share this article<\/p>\n            <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/?post_type=story&amp;p=5882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n    <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M6.023 16L6 9H3V6h3V4c0-2.7 1.672-4 4.08-4 1.153 0 2.144.086 2.433.124v2.821h-1.67c-1.31 0-1.563.623-1.563 1.536V6H13l-1 3H9.28v7H6.023z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/p>\n            <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merck.ca%2Fen%2F%3Fpost_type%3Dstory%26p%3D5882 Supporting Cancer Patients Through Scholarships For Nurses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n    <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M16 3.5c-.6.3-1.2.4-1.9.5.7-.4 1.2-1 1.4-1.8-.6.4-1.3.6-2.1.8-.6-.6-1.5-1-2.4-1-1.7 0-3.2 1.5-3.2 3.3 0 .3 0 .5.1.7-2.7-.1-5.2-1.4-6.8-3.4-.3.5-.4 1-.4 1.7 0 1.1.6 2.1 1.5 2.7-.5 0-1-.2-1.5-.4 0 1.6 1.1 2.9 2.6 3.2-.3.1-.6.1-.9.1-.2 0-.4 0-.6-.1.4 1.3 1.6 2.3 3.1 2.3-1.1.9-2.5 1.4-4.1 1.4H0c1.5.9 3.2 1.5 5 1.5 6 0 9.3-5 9.3-9.3v-.4c.7-.5 1.3-1.1 1.7-1.8z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/p>\n            <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merck.ca%2Fen%2F%3Fpost_type%3Dstory%26p%3D5882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n    <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M15.205 0H.695C.299 0 0 .3 0 .7v14.7c0 .3.298.6.696.6h14.608c.398 0 .696-.3.696-.7V.7c-.1-.4-.398-.7-.795-.7zM4.671 13.6H2.385V6H4.77v7.6h-.1zM3.578 5c-.795 0-1.392-.7-1.392-1.4 0-.8.597-1.4 1.392-1.4.795 0 1.39.6 1.39 1.4-.098.7-.695 1.4-1.39 1.4zm9.938 8.6H11.13V9.9c0-.9 0-2-1.192-2-1.193 0-1.391 1-1.391 2v3.8H6.16V6h2.286v1c.298-.6 1.093-1.2 2.187-1.2 2.385 0 2.782 1.6 2.782 3.6v4.2h.1z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/p>\n            <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Supporting Cancer Patients Through Scholarships For Nurses&amp;body=https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/?post_type=story&amp;p=5882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n    <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M16 5.7V14c0 .6-.4 1-1 1H1c-.6 0-1-.4-1-1V5.7l7.5 4.2c.28.14.72.14 1 0L16 5.7zM15 1c.6 0 1 .4 1 1v1.5L8 7.9 0 3.4V2c0-.6.4-1 1-1z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/p>            \n<\/div>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6720\" height=\"4480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/iStock-817837714-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7160 size-full\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"green\">What is head and neck cancer?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p> 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.<sup>1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns full lightgrey has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(247,247,247) 1%,rgb(247,247,247) 100%)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"green\">Areas of the head and neck where cancer might begin:<sup style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">2<\/sup><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:45% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"448\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Artboard-20.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7237 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>1. Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Oral cavity<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3. Salivary glands<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>4. Larynx (voice box)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>5. Pharynx (cavity behind the nose and mouth, connecting both to the esophagus)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns full lightgrey has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(247,247,247,0) 1%,rgba(247,247,247,0) 100%)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:35% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"466\" height=\"484\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Artboard-21_2-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7122 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In Canada, it was estimated that nearly <strong>8,100 new cases of head and neck cancer<\/strong> were diagnosed in 2024.<sup>3<\/sup><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The incidence of head and neck cancer is more than<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"465\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/03\/Artboard-54-2.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7300\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns full lightgrey has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(247,247,247) 6%,rgb(247,247,247) 100%)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"green\">There are several factors that can greatly increase the risk of head and neck cancer:&nbsp;<sup style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">4-6<\/sup><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:20% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"222\" height=\"222\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Artboard-18.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7225 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Tobacco &amp; alcohol use<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Tobacco and alcohol use are two of the biggest risk factors for head and neck cancers \u2014 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:20% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"222\" height=\"222\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Artboard-18_1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7226 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Human papillomavirus (HPV)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>People infected with HPV, a sexually transmitted infection, are more likely to develop certain types of 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. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns full lightgrey has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(247,247,247) 7%,rgb(247,247,247) 100%)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"green\">Other risk factors include:<sup style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">4-6<\/sup><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"261\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Artboard-59.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7093 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Prolonged sun<br>exposure<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"261\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Artboard-59_1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7094 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Epstein-Barr virus<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"261\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Artboard-59_2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7095 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Genetics<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"261\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Artboard-59_3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7096 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Poor oral\/dental hygiene<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"261\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Artboard-59_4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7097 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Environmental\/<br>occupational inhalants<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"261\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Artboard-59_5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7098 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Poor nutrition<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"font-size:12px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"green has-medium-font-size\">References<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>1<\/sup> Canadian Cancer Society. Head and neck cancers. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/resources\/glossary\/h\/head-and-neck-cancers\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/resources\/glossary\/h\/head-and-neck-cancers<\/a>. Last accessed March 7, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>2 <\/sup>Cancer.Net. Head and Neck Cancer: Introduction. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.net\/cancer-types\/head-and-neck-cancer\/introduction\">https:\/\/www.cancer.net\/cancer-types\/head-and-neck-cancer\/introduction<\/a>. Last accessed March 7, 2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>3 <\/sup>Canadian Cancer Society. Head and neck cancer statistics. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/hypopharyngeal\/statistics#:~:text=7%2C500%20Canadians%20will%20be%20diagnosed%20with%20head%20and,neck%20cancer%20and%201%2C500%20will%20die%20from%20it.\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/hypopharyngeal\/statistics<\/a>.&nbsp;Last accessed February 13, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>4<\/sup> Canadian Cancer Society. Risk factors for oral cancer. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/oral\/risks\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/oral\/risks<\/a>.&nbsp;Last accessed March 7, 2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>5<\/sup> Canadian Cancer Society. Risk factors for oropharyngeal cancer. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/oropharyngeal\/risks\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/oropharyngeal\/risks<\/a>. Last accessed March 7, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>6<\/sup> Cancer.Net. Head and Neck Cancer: Risk Factors and Prevention. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.net\/cancer-types\/head-and-neck-cancer\/risk-factors-and-prevention\">https:\/\/www.cancer.net\/cancer-types\/head-and-neck-cancer\/risk-factors-and-prevention<\/a>. Last accessed March 7, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">CA-NON-03927<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understanding head and neck cancer Share this article What is head and neck cancer?&nbsp; 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":7160,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"bdl_company_name":[],"bdl_item_external_link":[],"footnotes":""},"tags":[27],"content_topic":[],"admin_field":[],"class_list":["post-6844","story","type-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-oncology"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Understanding head and neck cancer - Merck Canada<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/stories\/6844\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Understanding head and neck cancer - Merck Canada\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Understanding head and neck cancer Share this article What is head and neck cancer?&nbsp; 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