Overview
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) is a type of cancer that starts in the flat, thin cells (called squamous cells) that line the inside of the mouth, throat, voice box, nasal passages, and nearby areas. It is one of the most common cancers worldwide and can also be called head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, oral cavity cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, or hypopharyngeal cancer, depending on exactly where it begins. This cancer can cause a range of symptoms depending on its location. Common signs include a sore in the mouth that does not heal, a lump in the neck, difficulty swallowing, a hoarse voice, or persistent ear pain. The cancer can grow into nearby tissues and, if not caught early, can spread to lymph nodes in the neck or to other parts of the body. Treatment depends on where the cancer is, how advanced it is, and the patient's overall health. Options include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy drugs like cetuximab, and immunotherapy drugs like pembrolizumab and nivolumab. Many patients receive a combination of these treatments. Early-stage cancers often have good outcomes, while advanced cancers are more challenging to treat. A growing number of cases are linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, especially in the throat, and these tend to respond better to treatment.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
A sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal after several weeksA painless lump or swelling in the neckDifficulty or pain when swallowingHoarse or changed voice that does not go awayPersistent sore throatEar pain, especially on one sideUnexplained weight lossBleeding in the mouth or throatNumbness or pain in the mouth or lipsA white or red patch inside the mouthBlocked or stuffy nose that does not clear upDifficulty opening the mouth fullyCoughing up blood
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsUniversity of Massachusetts, Boston — PHASE2
Washington University School of Medicine — PHASE2
University of Maryland, Baltimore — PHASE2
NYU Langone Health — PHASE1
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center — PHASE1
Sichuan Enray Pharmaceutical Sciences Company — PHASE2
Fox Chase Cancer Center — PHASE1
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center — PHASE1
University Health Network, Toronto — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
3 availableBlenoxane
management of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of head and neck (including mouth, tongue, tonsil, nasopharynx, oropharynx, sinus, palate, lip, buccal mucosa, gingivae, epiglottis, skin, larynx)
Erbitux
in combination with radiation therapy for the initial treatment of locally or regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN)
KEYTRUDA
in combination with platinum and FU for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
2 resourcesOPDIVO
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
OPDIVO — Contact E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: De-Escalated Adjuvant and Definitive Radiation Therapy Informed by DART 2.0 ctHPV-DNA
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
New recruiting trial: Personalized Volume-deescalated Elective Nodal Irradiation in Oropharyngeal Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
New recruiting trial: A Clinical Trial Investigating the Safety, Tolerability, and Therapeutic Effects of BNT113 in Combination With Pembrolizumab Versus Pembrolizumab Alone for Patients With a Form of Head and Neck Cancer Positive for Human Papilloma Virus 16 and Expressing the Protein PD-L1
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
New recruiting trial: Pilot Study of MPB-2043 Enhanced MRI for Nodal Staging in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
New recruiting trial: Specific Methylation Profiles in HNSCC
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
New recruiting trial: Artificial Intelligence in Functional Imaging for Individualized Treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
New recruiting trial: Study of NEO-201 in Solid Tumors Expansion Cohorts
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
New recruiting trial: Dosing Study of Radiation Combined With Tislelizumab and Pamiparib in Patients With Previously Treated Head and Neck Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
New recruiting trial: Prediction of Malignant Transformation of Oral Leukoplakia Using a MAGE-A-based Immunoscore
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
New recruiting trial: Efficacy and Safety of PD-1 Plus Chemotherapy in Poorly Differentiated Locally Advanced (LA) HNSCC
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my cancer and what does that mean for my treatment options?,Is my cancer HPV-positive, and how does that affect my prognosis and treatment?,What are the main side effects of the recommended treatment, and how can we manage them?,Should I see a speech therapist or dietitian before starting treatment to prepare?,Are there any clinical trials I might be eligible for?,What is the plan if the cancer comes back after treatment?,Should I or my family members consider genetic counseling given my diagnosis?
Common questions about Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
What is Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) is a type of cancer that starts in the flat, thin cells (called squamous cells) that line the inside of the mouth, throat, voice box, nasal passages, and nearby areas. It is one of the most common cancers worldwide and can also be called head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, oral cavity cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, or hypopharyngeal cancer, depending on exactly where it begins. This cancer can cause a range of symptoms depending on its location. Common signs include a sore in the mouth that does not heal, a lump in the n
How is Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck inherited?
Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck typically begin?
Typical onset of Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck?
Yes — 20 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck?
25 specialists and care centers treating Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck?
2 patient support programs are currently tracked on UniteRare for Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.