Miriam N. Lango, MD

This management guide covers the risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, staging, and treatment of head and neck cancers (including tumors of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, supraglottis, glottis, subglottis, and nasopharynx) using radiation, surgery, and medical treatment.

In 2009, approximately 35,720 men and women (25,240 men and 10,480 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, and 7,600 will succumb to these diseases. Further, an estimated 12,290 men and women (9,920 men and 2,370 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, and 3,660 will die from this malignancy. Most patients with head and neck cancer have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis (regional nodal involvement in 43% and distant metastasis in 10%).

In 2009, approximately 35,720 men and women (25,240 men and 10,480 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, and 7,600 will succumb to these diseases. Further, an estimated 12,290 men and women (9,920 men and 2,370 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, and 3,660 will die from this malignancy. Most patients with head and neck cancer have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis (regional nodal involvement in 43% and distant metastasis in 10%).

In 2008, it was estimated that head and neck cancers comprised ­2% to 3% of all cancers in the United States and accounted for 1% to 2% of all cancer deaths. This total includes 22,900 cases of oral cavity cancer, 12,250 cases of laryngeal cancer, and 12,410 cases of pharyngeal cancer. Most patients with head and neck cancer have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis (regional nodal involvement in 43% and distant metastasis in 10%).

Head and neck cancers encompass a diverse group of uncommon tumors that frequently are aggressive in their biologic behavior.

In 2005, it is estimated that head and neck cancers will comprise 2%-3% of allcancers in the United States and account for 1%-2% of all cancer deaths. Thistotal includes 20,780 cases of oral cavity cancer, 9,880 cases of laryngeal cancer,and 8,590 cases of pharyngeal cancer. Most patients with head and neckcancer have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis (regional nodal involvementin 43% and distant metastasis in 10%).