Types of head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancers are uncommon and only about 7800 people in the UK are diagnosed with them each year. Of these, about:

• 480 occur in the eye
• 360 in the lip
• 1400 in the mouth
• 500 in the nose and the paranasal sinuses
• 1650 in the pharynx
• 240 in the nasopharynx
• 500 in the salivary glands
• 1250 in the tongue.

Most cancers of the head and neck are of a type called carcinoma (in particular squamous cell carcinoma). Carcinomas of the head and neck start in the cells that form the lining of the mouth, nose, throat or ear, or the surface layer covering the tongue.

However, cancers of the head and neck can develop from other types of cells. Lymphomas develop from the cells of the lymphatic system (see symptoms|). Sarcomas develop from the cells which make up muscles, cartilage or blood vessels. Melanomas start from cells called melanocytes, which give colour to the eyes and skin.

Some cancers of the head and neck area are not covered by this section because we have separate information about them elsewhere on the site. These include cancers of the thyroid gland, larynx (voicebox) and ocular melanoma.