What are Oral, Head and Neck Cancers?

• Cancer that arises in the head or neck region, including the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, throat or voicebox.

Are Oral, Head and Neck Cancers common?

• Oral, Head and Neck Cancer are the sixth-most-common form of cancer in the United States.  There are 40,000 cases diagnosed annually.

What are the Risk Factors for Oral, Head and Neck Cancers?

• Tobacco is  the most important, particularly in cancers of the tongue, mouth, throat and voice box. Eighty-five percent of head and neck cancers are linked to tobacco use.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Oral Head and Neck Cancer?

• A sore in your mouth that does not heal;  or one that  increases in size
• Pain in your mouth
• Lumps or white, red or dark patches inside your mouth
• Difficulty chewing or moving your tongue
• Difficulty moving your jaw, or swelling or pain in your jaw
• Throat soreness or difficulty swallowing
• Pain around your teeth, or loosening of your teeth
• Tongue numbness, mouth numbness
• Changes in your voice
• A lump in your neck