Head and neck cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide, representing about 4.5% of all cancer diagnoses. Despite treatment advances, many patients, especially those with recurrent or metastatic disease, face poor long-term outcomes and significant symptom and treatment burdens that can impact basic life functions such as speech, swallowing, and taste, and cause fatigue and pain.
Johnson & Johnson is committed to advancing science and care for people living with head and neck cancer. We collaborate closely with clinicians, researchers, patient advocacy groups, caregivers and global networks to strengthen understanding of head and neck cancer and advance meaningful solutions that address unmet needs.
We focus on underlying tumor drivers to support more personalized, biology-informed approaches to care. We also continue to work toward a future where fewer people face late-stage diagnoses—and where those living with head and neck cancer can experience improved quality of life across the care journey.
Worldwide, head and neck cancer is the 7th most common cancer overall. It’s the 5th most common cancer in men and the 12th most common in women.
Head and neck cancer refers to a group of cancers that form in areas such as the mouth, throat, voice box, sinuses, nasal cavity or salivary glands. These cancers can be challenging to treat because they develop in small, complex areas of the body that support essential functions, including breathing, swallowing and speaking.
For people living with head and neck cancer, the effects of the disease—and its treatment—can influence nearly every aspect of daily life. Eating, speaking and social interaction often become difficult, and patients may require long-term rehabilitative support. Patients frequently experience profound emotional and social challenges, including isolation linked to changes in appearance, communication and eating.
Most head and neck cancers develop from risk factors such as long‑term exposure to tobacco and alcohol. These cancers tend to be diagnosed at more advanced stages, have poorer survival rates, and carry a heavier burden for patients due to more aggressive tumor biology and treatment resistance. A portion of head and neck cancers are related to human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV‑positive tumors often occur in younger individuals and have a longer prognosis. These differences underscore the significant unmet need for more effective, personalized approaches for people, tailored to the biology of their disease.
Head and neck cancer by the numbers
- 7th most common cancer globally, representing ~4.5% of cancer diagnoses
- 650,000 new cases diagnosed globally each year
- ~90% of head and neck cancers arise from squamous cells
- HPV-positive disease is rising among younger populations
- Quality of life impacts include speech, swallowing, fatigue and pain, which may persist long after treatment
