Head and neck cancer

The impact of our research

QIMR Berghofer researchers are working to understand how our immune response to head and neck cancers can translate into new therapies and treatments.

Our scientists have discovered new cellular immunotherapy targets for HPV-induced head and neck cancer. This could lead to better survival rates.

We’re aiming to identify the environmental and genetic factors that cause cancer. When we better understand what causes head and neck cancers, and who is most at risk, we can diagnose them earlier and develop better treatments.

About head and neck cancer

How are head and neck cancers treated?

Treatment for head and neck cancers varies, depending on where the cancer is located, how advanced it is, your overall health, and your treatment preferences. Some common treatments include:

surgery to remove the tumour and nearby lymph nodes
radiation therapy, using high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells
chemotherapy, which aims to kill cancer cells throughout the body
hormonal therapy, which blocks hormones that may stimulate cancer growth
targeted therapy, using drugs that specifically target cancer cells.

In cases where the cancer is advanced and a cure is not possible, palliative care aims to improve the patient's quality of life by managing symptoms and providing support.

What are head and neck cancers?

Head and neck cancers occur inside the sinuses, nose, mouth, and salivary glands down through the throat. Although these cancers are different, their treatments are similar, so they’re considered as a group.

There are five major types of head and neck cancer:

oral cavity (mouth) cancers
pharyngeal (throat) cancers
laryngeal (voice box) cancers
nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers
salivary gland cancers.

What are the symptoms of head and neck cancers?

Because head and neck cancers are so varied, symptoms vary depending on where the cancer is located.

Some common symptoms include:

persistent sore throat or mouth pain
difficulty or pain while swallowing or chewing
unexplained bleeding in the mouth
voice changes or hoarseness
swelling or lumps in the mouth or neck
numbness in the mouth or tongue
constant cough or coughing up blood.

Many of these symptoms can be caused by non-cancerous conditions, which adds to the complexity of diagnosing head and neck cancers.

Who’s most at risk of head and neck cancers?

About 80% of head and neck cancers are caused by alcohol or tobacco use.

You’re more at risk of developing head and neck cancer if you:

have been infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) or the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
are aged over 40
are male
are overweight or obese.

Facts about head and neck cancer

5,189

Australians diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2022.

80%

of all head and neck cancers related to alcohol and tobacco use.

2.5%

of all deaths from cancer attributed to head and neck cancers in Australia in 2022.

Our head and neck cancer research

Cancer Control

This lab, led by Professor David Whiteman, aims to reduce the burden of cancer by identifying risk factors, then translating these research findings into policy and practice. This includes research to identify the environmental and genetic factors that cause cancer, as well as research into early diagnosis, treatment, and survival.

“We are still learning about the epidemiology of head and neck cancers. If we can learn more about their causes, and who is at risk, we can develop better diagnostic tools and treatments to combat this deadly disease.”

Professor David Whiteman

Tumour Immunology

Led by Professor Rajiv Khanna AO, this lab aims to better understand the mechanisms by which an immune response to tumours may be generated, augmented, and applied to the inhibition of tumour growth.

“When specific proteins on the surface of our immune cells recognise specific proteins on the surface of the virus-infected cancer cells then the immune cells can destroy the cancer and stop it from growing.”