Head and neck cancer is a general name for many different, but uncommon forms of cancers. They include cancers of the mouth, lip or tongue (oral cancers), or the upper parts of the throat (larynx and pharynx). Head and neck cancers also include some rare forms of cancer such as cancers of the salivary gland, nose, sinuses, and middle ear, and cancers of the nerves and bones of the head and neck.
Also head and neck cancer includes cancer of the thyroid (a gland in the neck that produces hormones that regulate metabolism). Cancer of the thyroid is quite rare and is unlike the other cancers discussed, so it is often considered separately.