Head and neck cancer refers to a large group of cancers that arise in this region of the body, have a similar appearance down the microscope (they are all squamous carcinomas) and have many similarities in their mode of behaviour and spread. The commonest site of origin is the larynx, followed by the oral cavity (the mouth)
There are other tumours that arise e.g. melanomas, and salivary gland tumours spring to mind but the vast majority are the squamous tumours.
