Head and Neck Cancer

Conditions and Treatments

The most common head and neck cancers are in the larynx, oral cavity, salivary gland and throat. Many cancers of the larynx, which is part of the respiratory tract, begin in the vocal cords. Oral cancers may occur on the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard palate and gums. Surgery often is performed as part of the treatment for all four of these head and neck cancers.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007