Head cancers ordinarily start in the squamous cells that line the damp, mucosal surfaces inside the head (for instance, inside the mouth and the nose). These squamous cell cancers are also known as squamous cell carcinomas of the head. Head cancers can also start in the salivary glands; however, salivary gland cancers are pretty uncommon. Salivary glands contain various sorts of cells that can get malignant, so there are many different types of salivary gland cancers. Sometimes, the cancerous cells are found in lymph nodes without any evidence of cancer in other parts of the head. This type of cancer is called metastatic squamous cancer.
In India, around 30–40% of all cancers are head and Neck Cancers
Treatment depends upon the location of the cancerous cells, the stage of cancer, health and age of the person. Treatment of head cancers includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of treatments.
