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What is head and neck cancer?

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  • What is head and neck cancer?

What is head and neck cancer?

Head and neck cancers include cancers of the mouth and throat, nose and sinuses (air spaces in the bones of the face), salivary glands and ears. They are sometimes referred to according to the type of cell they start in.

Most head and neck cancers are ‘squamous cell cancers’ – these are types of skin cancer. These start in the cells lining the mouth, nose and throat.

You may be informed by your doctor that you have cancer in your lymph nodes. Cancer of the head and neck can sometimes spread to nearby lymph nodes. You can find out more about lymph node cancer on our information page.

In this section, you can read about the different types of cancer we treat.

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Mouth cancer

Mouth cancer can develop on the lip, tongue, or anywhere inside the mouth.

Read Mouth cancer Article

Throat cancer

Throat cancer usually means the parts called the pharynx and the larynx.

Read Throat cancer Article

Nasopharyngeal cancer

The nasopharynx is the upper part of the throat, behind the nose.

Read Nasopharyngeal cancer Article

Nasal and sinus cancers

These are cancers in the inside of the nose or sinuses.

Read Nasal and sinus cancers Article

Salivary gland cancers

Cancer in the salivary gland is very rare.

Read Salivary gland cancers Article
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The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Wilmslow Road
Manchester
M20 4BX
United Kingdom

+44 (0) 161 446 3000

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© 2019 The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

  • Patients and visitors
    • Your treatment and care
      • Find your consultant
      • Your first visit
      • Treatments
      • Patient booklets
      • Referral and second opinion
      • Types of cancer
      • Patient information
    • Visiting The Christie
      • Directions and transport
      • Department directory
      • The wards
      • Recognising staff
      • Facilities
      • The Christie app
      • Visiting a patient
      • Our treatment centres
    • Services at The Christie
    • Living with and beyond cancer
    • Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
  • Research
    • About research at The Christie
    • Research facilities and infrastructure
    • Research themes
    • Clinical trials
    • Performance in clinical research
    • How can I get involved?
  • Education
    • About education at The Christie
    • Continuing professional development
    • Education departments
    • Learning resources
    • Collaborations
  • Work with us
    • Why work with us?
      • Learning and development
      • Staff benefits
      • Staff testimonials
      • Diversity and inclusion
      • Interview information
    • About our roles
    • Latest opportunities
    • Volunteers
  • About us
    • About The Christie
    • About the Foundation Trust
    • Our future
    • Our standards
    • News
    • General FAQs
  • The Christie charity