What are the Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancers?
The symptoms of head and neck cancers may include a lump or a sore that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty in swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice. These symptoms may also be caused by other, less serious conditions. It is important to check with a doctor or dentist about any of these symptoms. Symptoms that may affect specific areas of the head and neck include the following:
- Oral cavity (mouth, floor of mouth, oral tongue, lips): A white or red patch on the gums, the tongue, or the lining of the mouth; a swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable; and unusual bleeding or pain in the .
- Pharynx (throat, base of tongue, tonsils): Trouble breathing or speaking; pain when swallowing; pain in the neck or the throat that does not go away; frequent headaches, pain, or ringing in the ears; or trouble hearing.
- Larynx (voice box): Pain when swallowing or ear pain. Hoarseness or a change in the voice that doesn’t go away.
- Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity (nose, sinuses): Sinuses that are blocked and do not clear; chronic sinus infections that do not respond to treatment with antibiotics; bleeding through the nose; frequent headaches, swelling or other trouble with the eyes; pain in the upper teeth; or problems with dentures.
- Salivary glands: Swelling under the chin or around the jawbone, numbness or paralysis of the muscles in the face, or pain in the face, the chin, or the neck that does not go away.
How Common are Head and Neck Cancers?
Head and neck cancer is one of the top 10 most frequently diagnosed cancers in the US. These cancers are nearly twice as common among men as they are among women.
Head and neck cancers are also diagnosed more often among people over age 50 than they are among younger people. The median age for head and neck cancer is 65 years (Larynx- age 66, Oral Cavity and Pharynx- age 64).
In the US, there are approximately 1,690 deaths from cancer EVERY DAY. That is equal to about 1 death per minute. Researchers estimate approximately 72,680 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with head and neck cancer this year alone (2025).
