Head and neck cancer, as a whole, is one of the cancers with highest incidence worldwide, both in adult women and men. This tumor includes tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract (nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, oral cavity, pharynx and larynx) and the thyroid, parathyroid and salivary glands, among others.Most of the tumors that develop in this area are closely related with alcohol consumption and tobacco use, two factors that can be easily avoided.If detected at an early stage of the disease, in most cases they can be cured; there are effective diagnostic and therapeutic tools available for this purpose. Knowledge is essential for prevention, adequate diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer. And that is the purpose of this review and update, which will hopefully contribute to the professional experience of readers in their daily medical practice.
