Neck cancer starts when cells in part of the head or neck begin to grow out of control and crowd out normal cells. Cancer cells can sometimes travel to other parts of the body and grow there, which is called metastasis.
Cancer is named for the place where it starts. If head or neck cancer spreads to the lungs or another part of the body, it is still considered head or neck cancer rather than a cancer that started in that new location.
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There are many types of head and neck cancer, depending on where the cancer begins. Some of the most common types include:
The most common type of cancer in the head and neck area is carcinoma. These cancers begin in the cells that line areas of the nose, mouth and throat.
There are several ways to treat head and neck cancer. Treatment may be local, targeting the cancer in a specific area, or systemic, using medicines that travel throughout the body.
Surgery and radiation are local treatments that focus on the area where the cancer is located. Chemotherapy and targeted treatments are systemic therapies that can reach cancer cells throughout the body. In some cases, both local and systemic treatments may be part of the treatment plan.
The recommended approach can depend on:
As care progresses, patients may receive one or more of these treatments based on their diagnosis and needs.
Surgery may be used to remove the cancer and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue. Depending on the location of the cancer, surgery may also involve nearby structures or lymph nodes in the neck.
Surgery may include:
Chemotherapy uses drugs to fight cancer. These medicines may be given through a vein or taken as pills, allowing them to travel through the bloodstream and reach cancer cells throughout the body.
Chemotherapy may involve:
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and may be used on its own or as part of a broader treatment plan. It can be delivered from a machine outside the body or through radioactive material placed near the cancer.
Radiation therapy may be used:
Other drug treatments may also be used for some head and neck cancers. Targeted therapy is designed to affect cancer cells differently from traditional chemotherapy, while immunotherapy helps the immune system attack cancer cells.
Treatment may include:
Cancer care often involves more than one team, treatment or area of expertise. Our teams work together to coordinate care, communicate clearly and help patients understand what comes next at each stage.
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