ON THIS PAGE: You will find some basic information about these diseases and the parts of the body they may affect. This is the first page of Cancer.Net’s Guide to Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer. Use the menu to see other pages. Think of that menu as a roadmap for this entire guide.
ON THIS PAGE: You will find out more about what factors increase the chance of developing head and neck cancer. Use the menu to see other pages.
A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Although risk factors often influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop the disease, while others with no known risk factors do. Knowing your risk factors and talking about them with your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health care choices.
ON THIS PAGE: You will find some basic information about this disease and the parts of the body it may affect. This is the first page of Cancer.Net’s Guide to Head and Neck Cancer. Use the menu to see other pages. Think of that menu as a roadmap for this entire guide.
Cancer begins when healthy cells change and grow out of control, forming a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor means the tumor can grow but will not spread.
Alcohol use has been consistently linked to an increased risk of cancer. The type of alcohol — wine, beer, or liquor — does not change this risk.
Like tobacco use, drinking alcohol is a cancer risk that you can control. Researchers call this a "modifiable risk factor." This means that you can change your behavior to reduce your risk.
