together, we face it
hope, support, awareness
ABOUT Head & neck Cancer
Symptoms
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hoarseness/changes in voice
- White/red patches inside mouth
- Pain in ears, neck, or throat,
- Unhealed mouth/throat sores
- Lumps/swelling in neck or face
SELF EXAM GUIDE
Early detection and diagnosis are crucial to the successful treatment of head and neck cancers. When detected early the survival rate is over 80%; however, more than half of all cases are found later. Learn more about performing a HNC self exam.
risk factors
Alcohol and tobacco use are the two most important risk factors for head and neck cancers. At least 75% of head and neck cancers are caused by tobacco and alcohol use.
what is it?
Cancers that are known collectively as head and neck cancers usually begin in the squamous cells that line the moist, mucosal surfaces inside the head and neck (for example, inside the mouth, the nose, and the throat).
Note: Cancers of the brain, eye, esophagus, and thyroid gland, as well as those of the scalp, skin, muscles, and bones of the head and neck, are not classified as head and neck cancers.
how is hnc treated?
The treatment plan for an individual patient depends on a number of factors, including the exact location of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, and the person’s age and general health. Treatment for head and neck cancer can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of treatments.
People who are diagnosed with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer may be treated differently than people with oropharyngeal cancers that are HPV-negative.
About Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that involve patients. Through clinical trials, doctors and researchers find new ways to improve treatments and the quality of life for people with diseases.
If you or your loved one have been diagnosed with head or neck cancer and need treatment, clinical trials are an option to consider. Trials are available for all stages of cancer.
Head & Neck Cancer Stories
Survivor stories can provide hope, education, and a realistic view of life beyond treatment. We have nearly 70 survivor and caregiver stories on our website (through our Ambassador program), and we hope to begin featuring other survivors’ stories as well!
For now, learn more about our Ambassadors and their head & neck cancer journey.
Our Mission
to provide hope and support to individuals impacted by head and neck cancer, to raise awareness about prevention and early detection, and to advocate for improved patient outcomes.
Latest Alliance Blog
Dentures, Aligners, and Oral Cancer: What You Need to Know
Dentures, retainers, and clear aligners are supposed to fit closely against the mouth, so a little rubbing or pressure isn’t unusual. But if you’ve had oral cancer, a new sore spot can feel like more than just an annoyance. It
10 Things Your SLP Wishes You Knew About Head & Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancer and its treatment can affect the things we often take for granted: eating a meal, swallowing a sip of water, speaking to a loved one, using your voice, or breathing comfortably. When those things change, life
Alphabet Soup? No, It’s Precision Medicine
Alphabet Soup? No, It’s Precision Medicine HPV. EGFR. PD-L1. TMB. TILs. ctDNA. These aren’t just random letters. They’re part of a field called precision medicine, and they may have already shaped the cancer treatment you received, even if nobody explained
Clinical Trials
Our work would not be possible without our sponsors and partners. Please see below to learn more about our partners and the clinical trials that are underway to help head and neck cancer patients. For more information about clinical trials and where to find trials that might apply to you or a loved one, visit our Clinical Trial Finder or click on any of the trial opportunities below. Featured Clinical trials are meant to provide educational information about trials and not endorse any particular trial.
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Dental health can be a major part of the head and neck cancer journey, both during treatment and for years afterward.
Join us for a **free webinar on September 23 at 7 PM ET** featuring a dentist, dental hygienist, and head and neck cancer survivor. They’ll discuss dental care before, during, and after treatment, including how to prevent and manage common challenges such as dry mouth, tooth decay, difficulty eating, jaw stiffness, and other changes in oral health.
Whether you’re preparing for treatment, currently in treatment, or navigating long-term survivorship, you’ll come away with practical guidance for protecting your oral health and quality of life.
**Register today:** [headandneck.org/webinars](https://www.headandneck.org/webinars/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
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Cancer can affect more than your health. It can also change relationships with partners, family, friends, and caregivers. Our friends at Imerman Angels are hosting "Navigating Relationships After Cancer" on Tuesday, September 29, at 6 p.m. CT, an online discussion exploring common relationship challenges during and after cancer, including setting boundaries, managing expectations, parenting, changing family and partner dynamics, and navigating relationships in survivorship. This session is open to people facing cancer, survivors, previvors, caregivers, family members, and friends. Register to join the conversation and learn practical strategies for navigating relationships after a cancer diagnosis.
Register for free here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYAwB3AGvDhZ6onBixhtl98Ye2nReYQZ3G8B_-UEzGVmtpHw/viewform
Sign up for our monthly newsletter and get the latest information about our programs, events, and other head and neck cancer news. Don`t worry; we will only use your email address to send you 1-2 emails per month. Sign up here: https://headandneckcanceralliance.salsalabs.org/newssignup/index.html
Dental health can be a major part of the head and neck cancer journey, both during treatment and for years afterward.
Join us for a **free webinar on September 23 at 7 PM ET** featuring a dentist, dental hygienist, and head and neck cancer survivor. They’ll discuss dental care before, during, and after treatment, including how to prevent and manage common challenges such as dry mouth, tooth decay, difficulty eating, jaw stiffness, and other changes in oral health.
Whether you’re preparing for treatment, currently in treatment, or navigating long-term survivorship, you’ll come away with practical guidance for protecting your oral health and quality of life.
**Register today:** [headandneck.org/webinars](https://www.headandneck.org/webinars/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
