Cancerous tumours of the pharynx
A cancerous tumour of the pharynx can grow into nearby tissue and destroy it. The tumour can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Cancerous tumours are also called malignant tumours.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma starts in flat, thin cells called squamous cells. A layer of these cells (called the squamous epithelium) lines the pharynx.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of pharyngeal cancer. There are different types of squamous cell carcinoma:
- keratinizing – these cancer cells produce a protein called keratin that makes the cell membrane tougher and more resistant to damage
- non-keratinizing – these cancer cells don’t produce keratin
- basaloid – this is a high-grade type that spreads to other parts of the body more quickly than other types
- verrucous – this is a low-grade type that rarely spreads to other parts of the body but it can grow deeply into the surrounding tissues
Rare pharyngeal tumours
The following cancerous tumours of the pharynx are rare.
Minor salivary gland tumours start in the cells of the minor salivary glands. These are tiny glands in the lining of the pharynx. Types of minor salivary gland tumours include adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Find out more about cancerous tumours of the salivary glands.
Sarcoma starts in the cells of the connective tissue (cartilage). Types of sarcoma of the pharynx include chondrosarcoma and synovial sarcoma. Find out more about types of soft tissue sarcoma.
Melanoma usually starts in the skin but can start on the inner mucous surfaces (the mucous membrane) that line the body, including in the pharynx. Find out more about melanoma.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma starts in lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell. Lymphomas can develop in the lymphatic tissue of the pharynx, such as the base of the tongue or the tonsils. Find out more about non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Papillary adenocarcinoma starts in the gland cells that make mucus in the pharynx. Papillary adenocarcinoma develops in the nasopharynx (nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma) more often than in other parts of the pharynx. These are very rare tumours.
Your trusted source for accurate cancer information
With support from readers like you, we can continue to provide the highest quality cancer information for over 100 types of cancer.
We’re here to ensure easy access to accurate cancer information for you and the millions of people who visit this website every year. But we can’t do it alone.
Every donation helps fund reliable cancer information, compassionate support services and the most promising research. Please give today because every contribution counts. Thank you.