Head and Neck Cancer (cont.)
How common are head and neck cancers?
Head and neck cancers account for approximately 3 to 5 percent of all cancers
in the United States. These cancers are more common in men and in people over
age 50. It is estimated that about 39,000 men and women in this country will
develop head and neck cancer in 2005.
What causes head and neck cancers?
Tobacco (including smokeless tobacco, sometimes called "chewing tobacco" or
"snuff") and alcohol use are the most important risk factors for head and neck
cancers, particularly those of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and
larynx. Eighty-five percent of head and neck cancers are linked to tobacco use.
People who use both tobacco and alcohol are at greater risk for developing these
cancers than people who use either tobacco or alcohol alone.
Other risk factors for cancers of the head and neck include the following:
- Oral cavity. Sun exposure (lip); possibly human papillomavirus (HPV)
infection.
- Salivary glands. Radiation to the head and neck. This exposure can come
from diagnostic x-rays or from radiation therapy for noncancerous conditions or
cancer.
- Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. Certain industrial exposures, such as
wood or nickel dust inhalation. Tobacco and alcohol use may play less of a role
in this type of cancer.
- Nasopharynx. Asian, particularly Chinese, ancestry; Epstein-Barr virus
infection; occupational exposure to wood dust; and consumption of certain
preservatives or salted foods.
- Oropharynx. Poor oral hygiene; HPV infection and the use of mouthwash that
has a high alcohol content are possible, but not proven, risk factors.
- Hypopharynx. Plummer-Vinson (also called Paterson-Kelly) syndrome, a rare
disorder that results from iron and other nutritional deficiencies. This
syndrome is characterized by severe anemia and leads to difficulty swallowing
due to webs of tissue that grow across the upper part of the esophagus.
- Larynx. Exposure to airborne particles of asbestos, especially in the
workplace.
Immigrants from Southeast Asia who use paan (betel quid) in the mouth should
be aware that this habit has been strongly associated with an increased risk for
oral cancer. Also, consumption of mate, a tea-like beverage habitually consumed
by South Americans, has been associated with an increased risk of cancers of the
mouth, throat, esophagus, and larynx.
People who are at risk for head and neck cancers should talk with their
doctor about ways they can reduce their risk. They should also discuss how often
to have checkups.
Next: What are common symptoms of head and neck cancers? »
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