ENT Liu Knowledge Base Head & neck tumours · physician reviewed
Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck · Understanding the disease

What is skin cancer of the head and neck?

Reviewed: 8 November 2026 By: Xiangpeng Liu, MD Topic: Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck Answer length: short, citable
Quick answer

Skin cancers of the head and neck are tumours arising on chronically sun-exposed skin — basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma being the most common. They are especially frequent in fair-skinned populations in Australia, New Zealand and North America, and the head and neck is the most common site because it receives the highest lifetime UV dose.

In detail

The head, face, ears, scalp and neck account for a disproportionate share of skin cancers even though they are a small fraction of body surface area. Basal cell carcinoma is the commonest and rarely metastasises but can be locally destructive around the eyes, nose and ear. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck has a higher risk of perineural spread and nodal metastasis than cSCC elsewhere on the body; melanoma is less common but causes most skin cancer deaths.

Lesions on the ear, scalp, temple and lip deserve particular respect: these sites have thin tissue, rich lymphatic drainage and proximity to cranial nerves. A non-healing sore, a changing mole or a persistent scaly patch on the head or neck should be examined with dermoscopy and biopsied rather than treated as eczema or an infection.

What this means in practice: this answer is part of the “Understanding the disease” section of the Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck topic. If you are comparing treatment options, also read how to compare a second opinion and which records to send.

Other common questions about skin cancer of the head and neck

See all 14 questions in this topic →

Sources for this answer

  1. Global Cancer Facts & Figures, 5th Edition (GLOBOCAN 2022 tables) American Cancer Society · 2024
  2. Ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer (fact sheet) World Health Organization · 2024
  3. Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN 2022) International Agency for Research on Cancer / WHO · 2022 · Source of worldwide and country-level incidence and mortality estimates.
  4. NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Head and Neck Cancers National Comprehensive Cancer Network · 2025

Written and medically reviewed by Xiangpeng Liu, MD

Associate Chief Physician, ENT & Head/Neck Surgery · Chenzhou First People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, Hunan, China

Editorial policy & reviewer credentials · All sources

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Medical disclaimer: This knowledge base is general information for people researching head and neck tumours, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. It does not replace an examination by a qualified physician. Survival figures are population averages, not predictions for an individual. Treatment and cost estimates for China are illustrative only and must be confirmed in writing after your records have been reviewed. If you have a symptom lasting more than two to three weeks, see a doctor promptly.