Cancer can occur in several different areas of the neck and head, including in the mouth, tongue, and throat. These may not be the typical regions that patients expect to see cancer; nevertheless, it is important to screen for the disease when questionable symptoms arise.
Head and Neck Cancers
Head and neck cancers usually originate in the mucosal lining of the mouth, voice box, and throat, which contain squamous cells. The name of this disease is “squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.” Cancer can also form in the salivary glands, sinuses, facial muscles, and nerves, albeit less frequently. Below are the most common locations for cancer to appear:
- Oral cavities (in the tongue, lips, gums, cheeks, and mouth)
- Throat
- Larynx
- Sinus cavities
- Salivary glands