Head & Neck Cancer

Cancer Care Alberta

Head & neck (H&N) cancers are predominantly squamous cell carcinomas of the lip, mouth, pharynx, larynx and cervical esophagus. They can also include adenocarcinomas of the major and minor salivary glands and thyroid as well as occasional tumours of connective tissue origin.

Canadian Cancer Statistics estimates that H&N cancer is the 6th most common cancer diagnosed worldwide.

Main risk factors include using tobacco products, excessive alcohol consumption, and HPV infections.

HPV infection is associated with most oropharyngeal cancers (>70%) and a small minority of other cancer sites in the head and neck. Patients diagnosed with HPV-positive oropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC):

• are often younger and can lack tobacco and alcohol exposure when compared to those patients with HPV-negative HNSCC.
• can have cervical neck metastases that may be cystic and can often be mistaken for branchial cleft cysts, contributing to delay in diagnosis.
• may present with a symptomatic mass of the tonsil or base of tongue, with or without accompanying lymphadenopathy or as an asymptomatic neck mass without a symptomatic primary site. Most of these cancers arise from deep crypts in the palatine and lingual tonsils.

The following resources are available to help you navigate potential concerns around cancer suspicion, diagnosis, referral pathways and other important information.

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