Head and neck cancer develops in your mouth, lips, throat, tongue, tonsils, sinuses, nose, voice box or salivary glands. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma. It forms in the moist mucous tissues (membranes) that line body openings like those in your mouth and throat.

We care for the full range of head and neck cancers, including:

• Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer (voice box and bottom part of throat)
• Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer (spaces in the bones around the nose)
• Nasopharyngeal cancer (top part of throat)
• Oral and oropharyngeal cancer (mouth and back of throat)
• Salivary gland cancer (organs that produce spit)
• Skin cancers of the head and neck
• Thyroid cancer (gland that produces hormones)

Like other cancers, head and neck cancer occurs due to cells multiplying uncontrollably. The cells form tumors that can spread to other areas of your body and affect vital functions.

Changes (mutations) to certain genes that regulate how quickly cells grow and divide can lead to cancer. Most genetic changes are acquired, meaning they occur during your lifetime, while others occur before birth (congenital). Some genetic abnormalities are passed down through families (inherited).

Not all people with abnormal genes develop head and neck cancer, but they increase your risk of disease. Other factors also increase your risk, including:

The first step toward effective head and neck cancer treatment is an accurate diagnosis. At UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, we also stage the cancer to find out if and where it has spread (metastasized).

Your physician begins with a complete medical history and physical exam. We check your neck, throat, mouth, nose, lymph nodes and other areas for bumps, sores or discolored areas. You may also have blood and urine tests so your physician can rule out other health conditions, such as a virus or infection.

Tests for head and neck cancer may include:

Endoscopy: Endoscopy is the most common test for head and neck cancers. Your physician inserts an endoscope (thin, flexible tube with a light and lens) into your nose and down your throat. They use this tool to examine your nose, throat and voice box. You receive general anesthesia during an endoscopy, so you rest comfortably.

Other imaging exams: We may do an X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, CT scan or PET scan. These noninvasive tests show us the size, shape and location of tumors. We also use imaging scans to find out if cancer has spread outside your head or neck to other parts of your body.

Biopsy: A biopsy is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of head and neck cancer. We take a small tissue sample from your primary tumor location or suspicious neck lymph node. A pathologist examines the sample under a microscope to look for cancer. We may do a surgical or fine needle biopsy (using a needle with syringe to get cells) based on the tumor's location.

Head and neck cancer treatment can change your appearance and the way you talk, eat and breathe. Our goal is to treat your cancer fully, while helping you look and feel as much like yourself as possible.

Together with you, your care team selects the most appropriate treatment for your needs. We’re always here to help you understand what to expect before, during and after treatment.

Our state-of-the-art treatments for head and neck cancers include:

You can't prevent head and neck cancer. But you can lower your risk by avoiding tobacco and alcohol and using sunscreen.

The HPV vaccine protects you from some of the viruses that can cause mouth and throat cancers. The vaccine doesn’t cure an existing HPV infection. The vaccine is recommended for all people aged 45 and younger. Talk to your healthcare provider or your child’s pediatrician about the HPV vaccine.