A report published by the Spanish website CuídatePlus highlights the dangers of head and neck cancer, warning that it can develop silently with symptoms that may seem minor—such as mild pain or voice changes—yet conceal a serious disease requiring early intervention.
According to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology, head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer in Spain, despite limited public awareness. Oncologist Beatriz Castillo from La Paz Hospital in Madrid notes that the disease remains more prevalent among men, particularly laryngeal cancer, while cancers of the oral cavity are more frequently diagnosed in women.
Data also show a significant rise in oropharyngeal cancers linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), especially among younger individuals, while some other types have declined due to reduced smoking rates. Nevertheless, tobacco and alcohol remain the primary risk factors, accounting for approximately 75% to 85% of cases, with the risk doubling when both are combined.
Head and neck cancer is a broad term encompassing malignant tumors that affect the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and parts of the upper aerodigestive tract. Most cases are classified as squamous cell carcinoma, the most common type. Other cancers may originate in the salivary glands, sinuses, or the muscles and nerves of the head and neck region.
Key risk factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, infection with HPV—particularly type 16—or Epstein-Barr virus, as well as genetic predisposition, certain occupational exposures, poor diet, and radiation exposure to the head and neck area.
Doctors stress the importance of not ignoring warning signs such as difficulty or pain when swallowing, persistent mouth or throat pain, sores that do not heal, voice changes, unexplained weight loss, or a lump in the neck. Medical evaluation is strongly recommended if any of these symptoms persist for more than two to three weeks.
The stage at diagnosis remains the most critical factor in determining prognosis, with five-year survival rates ranging from 30% to 85%, depending on the tumor’s location and stage. Despite significant advances in surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, as well as targeted and immunotherapies, early detection continues to be the most powerful tool in improving survival outcomes.
