What are Head and Neck Cancers?

Ninety percent of diagnosed cases of head and neck cancer are of the squamous cell variety. Squamous cells are the thin flat cells that line the surface of the oral cavity, aerodigestive tract and other organs. When these cells rapidly divide in random order and form a tumor in the oral cavity or aerodigestive tract, the malignant tumor is referred to as a squamous cell carcinoma.

Cancers of the head and neck include those that occur above the clavicle (collar bone) excluding tumors in the eyes and brain, but include the oral cavity and aerodigestive sites listed below:

Cancer of the oral cavity includes the following sites:

• Lips
  
• Buccal mucosa (the inside lining of the cheeks)
  
• Tongue
  
• Hard palate (front area of the roof of the mouth)
  
• Tonsils
  
• Floor of the mouth (bottom of mouth)
  
• Retromolar trigone (the area behind the wisdom teeth).
  

Aerodigestive sites are:

• Oropharynx
  The hollow tube at the back of the throat that extends from the nose to the top of the trachea (windpipe). Included in the oropharynx is the back of the tongue; the soft palate (the back of the roof of the mouth); and the tonsils.
  
  
• Hypopharynx
  The hypopharynx is the bottom portion of the pharynx. The pharynx is a hollow organ extending to the esophagus. Air and food passes through the pharynx. However, the air travels on to the trachea into the lungs; and, food is transported to the esophagus into the digestive system.
  
  
• Larynx
  The larynx or voicebox is a two-inch tube shaped organ through which air passes as it is inhaled or exhaled from the lungs. It is the vocal cords within the larynx that contract and vibrate to produce a pitch or sound when we speak.