Types of cancer

Head and neck cancers

Trustworthy information about head and neck cancers, including diagnosis, treatment, side effects and wellbeing

Overview

Head and neck cancers begin in the mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), nose, sinuses or salivary glands.

The most common head and neck cancers are called squamous cell carcinomas. They start in the thin, flat cells lining these areas of the head and neck.

We have separate information on brain, eye and thyroid cancers. These are treated differently to head and neck cancers.

A cancer diagnosis can be a shock. Find helpful information in Just diagnosed, or call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 to talk it through with our qualified professionals.

Head and neck cancers booklet (PDF)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

About this information

The information on this website is not medical, legal or financial advice. Always consult appropriate professionals about your specific situation. Full disclaimer.

Reviewers

This information has been developed by Cancer Council NSW on behalf of all other state and territory Cancer Councils as part of a National Cancer Information Subcommittee initiative.

All updated content has been clinically reviewed by:

A/Prof Martin Batstone, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and Director of the Maxillofacial Unit, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD. This edition is based on the previous edition, which was reviewed by the following panel: A/Prof Martin Batstone (see above); Polly Baldwin, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Martin Boyle, Consumer; Dr Teresa Brown, Assistant Director Dietetics, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Honorary Associate Professor, University of Queensland, QLD; Dr Hayley Dixon, Head, Clinical Support Dentistry Department, WSLHD Oral Health Services, Public Health Dentistry Specialist, NSW; Head and Neck Cancer Care Nursing Team, Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC; Rhys Hughes, Senior Speech Pathologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr Annette Lim, Medical Oncologist and Clinician Researcher – Head and Neck and Non-melanoma Skin Cancer, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr Sweet Ping Ng, Radiation Oncologist, Austin Health, VIC; Deb Pickersgill, Senior Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Queensland Sports Medicine Centre, QLD; John Spurr, Consumer; Kate Woodhead, Physiotherapist, St Vincent’s Health, Melbourne, VIC; A/Prof Sue-Ching Yeoh, Oral Medicine Specialist, University of Sydney, Sydney Oral Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW.

We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this title.

View our editorial policy.

Understanding Head and Neck Cancers

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What's in this booklet

About head and neck cancer

Understand different types of head and neck cancer, how the mouth, nose, throat and neck areas work, and which health professionals will look after your care.

Symptoms and risk factors

Learn about head and neck cancer symptoms, and risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use and HPV infection.

Diagnosis

Read about tests used to diagnose head and neck cancers, including physical examinations, imaging scans and biopsies. Test results help find the type and stage of the cancer.

Treatment

Read about common treatments for head and neck cancers, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

Managing side effects

Understand how to manage treatment side effects like fatigue, mouth problems, swallowing difficulties, speech changes or changes in appearance.

Life after treatment

Adjusting to life after head and neck cancer treatment takes time. Find out about follow-up appointments, and ongoing side effects and changes.

Questions to ask your doctor

It can be a good idea to prepare a list of questions before your appointments. See our list of questions about head and neck cancer care.

Relevant support

Head and Neck Cancer Australia

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