Head and neck cancers

This page explains what head and neck cancer is and outlines the care and support available through the NHS. Head and neck cancer is a general term used to describe cancer that can form within the mouth, neck and thyroid. There are more than 30 areas within the head and neck where cancer can develop. This includes:

• Mouth and lips
• Voice box
• Throat
• Salivary glands
• Nose and sinuses
• Back of the nose and mouth

What to expect from your appointments with us

Your initial appointment will be with one of our consultant surgeons, or a member of their team. They will ask you about your medical history, and then will examine you. This examination will include them feeling the lymph nodes in your neck and looking inside your mouth. They may also need to use a small camera called a nasendoscope which is passed through your nose, in order to examine further down your throat.

What to expect from your diagnostic tests and investigations

You will be seen by one of our doctors who will talk to you about your symptoms and examine your mouth, throat and neck. They may also take blood tests and question you on your general health.

• Endoscope – At your first appointment, your doctor may use a fine flexible tube with a light and a camera to examine the mouth, nose and throat. The tube is inserted through your nose and allows the specialist to take a closer look.
• CT scan – CT scans take pictures of your body to find out where the cancer is and whether it has spread. This normally takes around 10 minutes.
• MRI Scan - MRI scans use magnetism and radio waves to create a cross sectional picture of the body. You will have an MRI scan to see if your cancer has spread. The scan itself normally takes around 45 minutes to one hour.
• Biopsy – If the area of concern is easy to see and reach, your doctor may take a small sample of tissue. This is then examined by a scientist in the laboratory. Sometimes these can be done in our outpatient clinic with local anaesthetic, and sometimes you will need to come into hospital as a day case and go to theatre. Your doctor will tell you what is needed in your particular case.
• Ultrasound biopsy – This type of biopsy is done in our Radiology Department and is performed by a radiographer. They may use a specialised needle to remove a small sample of tissue from a lump or suspicious area.

Treatment options and what to expect

Your specialist team will advise which, if any, of the below are suitable for you

Surgery- Surgery is one of the main treatments for head and neck cancer. The type of surgery can range from a short and simple operation to a major operation requiring reconstruction.. Depending on your cancer, surgeons may also need to remove some of your lymph nodes. Your recovery after surgery will depend on the operation that you have had.

Radiotherapy – Radiotherapy uses high energy rays to destroy cancer cells. You may have radiotherapy on its own if you cannot have chemo-radiotherapy as a combination.

Our Radiotherapy pages have more detailed information.

SACT treatments

You may hear the following treatment being described as SACT, which means systemic anti-cancer therapies. These include chemotherapy and immunotherapy and are treatments that work throughout the entire body.

Chemotherapy: This is drug therapy used to treat head and neck cancer that has spread to other parts of the body This may include chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and can help to control advance cancer, and relieve symptoms

Chemo-radiotherapy: This is a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Radiotherapy uses high energy rays to destroy cancer cells. The chemotherapy allows the radiotherapy to work better. It is sometimes given as a stand alone treatment, and sometimes is required following surgery. Your oncologist will discuss whether this combination treatment is suitable for you.