Adapted for the Canadian edition by David Payne, MD
Taken together, head and neck cancers account for 5 to 10 percent of all malignancies. These cancers are more common in men by a ratio of 3 to 1 and are much more common in people over 50. They have a rather good cure rate if they are found early, evaluated adequately and treated with the best available therapy. All three main treatment methods—surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy—are used.
There are about 4,600 new cases in Canada each year, and about 1,250 patients die of the disease.
The broad category of head and neck cancers includes tumors in several areas.
• Lip and oral cavity. This includes the lips, tongue, the inside lining of the cheeks (buccal mucosa), the floor of
the mouth, the gums (gingiva) and the hard palate .
• Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. Sinuses are found below and above the eyes and behind the nose.
• Salivary glands. These glands produce saliva to moisten our mouth and help us chew and swallow food.
• Oropharynx. This is the upper part of the throat that can be seen when you say "ahhh." It also includes the
tonsils.
• Nasopharynx . The nasopharynx is behind the nose and above the oropharynx. It cannot be seen directly, but
