These cancers develop when abnormal cells in the tissues grow out of control and then spread from one tissue to another. People with neck cancer may find a lump, nodule, or swelling in their neck; upon imaging, the healthcare provider will find a tumor.
Neck cancers are generally more common in men than women, and some are more common in Black Americans than other racial or ethnic populations. These cancers can be caused by alcohol and tobacco and by certain viral infections.
This article will highlight important facts and statistics you should know about neck cancer.
Neck Cancer Overview
Neck cancer occurs when cancer cells form a clump called a tumor in the tissues of the neck. Cancer cells from the tumor can spread to other tissues in the neck and throughout the body. When they grow out of control, they can stop other organs from functioning correctly.
Cancer of the neck often develops in the cells of the mucous membranes in the throat and mouth. These areas of the body are lined with squamous cells and are called squamous cell carcinomas.
Other cancers of the muscles (sarcomas) or nerves (schwannomas) can develop in the neck, but these are much rarer than squamous cell carcinomas. Though rare, salivary gland cancers can also develop in the neck, as minor salivary glands (much smaller than the primary glands) are found in the mouth, larynx (voice box), and hypopharynx (the lower part of your throat behind the larynx).
Cancers that develop in the neck structures are identified by the tissues in which they grow. This overview includes the following cancers:
Laryngeal cancers develop in the larynx. Hypopharyngeal cancers develop in the lower throat, behind the larynx, and usually are lumped in with laryngeal cancers since cancers here are hard to distinguish. Oropharyngeal cancers develop in the middle throat near the mouth. Oral cancers develop in the mouth and are considered oropharyngeal cancers. Nasopharyngeal cancers develop at the top of the throat behind the nose.
How Common Is Neck Cancer?
Cancers that develop in the neck or throat are not very common. The two most frequently diagnosed are those of the mouth or oropharynx and those of the voice box.
Laryngeal Cancers
Cancer that develops in the larynx (also known as the voice box) is the 22nd most common cancer In the United States. Only about 0.3% of people will develop laryngeal cancer during their life.
There was estimated to be 12,470 new cases of laryngeal cancer in the United States in 2022, accounting for about 0.7% of new cancer cases that year. Around 3,830 deaths from laryngeal cancer also were predicted for the United States in 2022, which accounts for about 0.6% of cancer deaths.
These rates have been decreasing as smoking rates have dropped. New cases had fallen on average 3.9% per year between 2010 and 2019, and death rates had fallen by about 2.2% per year.
About 90,176 people in the United States are currently living with laryngeal cancer.
Cancer of the Hypopharynx
Cancer that develops specifically in the lower throat (the hypopharynx) is very rare. In the United States, there are only about 2,000–4,000 cases of cancer in the hypopharynx in any given year.
Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancers
Cancers of the mouth and oropharynx are the most common cancers that develop in the neck. About 1.2% of people will get oral or pharynx cancer during their life.
It was estimated that in 2022, about 54,000 new cases would be reported in the United States, 2.8% of new cancer cases. this is in addition to 11,230 deaths from oral and oropharynx cancer that same year—1.8% of cancer deaths.
The new-case rate rose by about 1% each year between 2010 and 2019. The death rate for this cancer has also been rising—by about 0.4% per year. But on the positive side, survival rates have steadily increased since the 80s.
About 410,376 people live with oral and oropharynx cancers in the United States.
Nasopharyngeal Cancer
Cancers of the throat behind the nose are pretty rare. Annually, there’s only about 1 case for every 100,000 people in the United States. But in areas of China, there are as many as 21 cases per 100,000 people.
In 2020, about 133,354 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer were diagnosed worldwide, and there were 80,008 deaths in that year.
Neck Cancer by Ethnicity and Gender
Men are more likely than women to develop any type of cancers in the neck and throat. This difference may be due to the greater use of tobacco and alcohol by men.
Neck cancers, especially laryngeal and oral/oropharyngeal cancers, are more commonly diagnosed in Black males than in White males. Black males also are more likely to die from them.
Neck Cancer by Age
Neck cancers are most commonly diagnosed in the late 50s to 60s, but they can occur at any age, as shown here:
Just over 20% (1 in 5) of oral and oropharynx cancers occur in people under age 55. Almost half of the nasopharyngeal cancers diagnosed in the United States are in people under age 55.
Causes of Neck Cancer and Risk Factors
Most cancers that arise in the neck are due to the use of alcohol and tobacco. Using both raises the risk even higher. This link is particularly relevant for cancers of the oral cavity, hypopharynx and voice box.
There’s also a link between infections and cancers of the neck and throat. About 75% of cancers in the oropharynx are often due to a chronic infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), specifically, type 16. Though the connection is not completely clear, nasopharyngeal cancers have been associated with chronic Epstein-Barr infections as well.
In addition, location worldwide seems to play a role in incidence rates of nasopharyngeal cancer. This cancer is most common in people who live or have lived in:
Southern China (including Hong Kong)Singapore Vietnam MalaysiaThe PhilippinesNorthwest CanadaGreenland
What Are the Mortality Rates for Neck Cancer?
Survival rates for people diagnosed with neck cancer are decent if caught early. Generally, the earlier the cancer is found, the better your chance of survival. Five-year survival rates can drop quickly once cancer spreads.
The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program database classifies cancer spread as one of the following three stages, as follows:
Localized cancers have not spread beyond the tissue they started in. Regional cancers have spread to other tissues in the area, including lymph nodes. Distant cancers have spread to other organs in far parts of the body.
Survival rate is not a prognosis for an individual, which is influenced by a person’s cancer stage, type of cancer, overall health, response to treatment, and other factors.
People with neck cancer may find a lump, nodule, or swelling in their neck; upon imaging, the healthcare provider will find a tumor. Neck cancers are generally more common in men than women, and some are more common in Black Americans than other populations. These cancers can be caused by alcohol and tobacco and by infections with certain viruses.
Survival rates vary for neck cancers and are worse when discovered in advanced stages.
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