Head and neck cancers are those cancers which affect the head and neck, and typically develop in the squamous cells that line the inside of the throat, mouth and nose.   Because of where they begin, these types of cancers can be referred to as squamous cell carcinomas.  Within this group of cancers, each case is categorized by the area of the neck or head that the cancer originated.  For example, if the cancer originates in the throat it is considered throat cancer, if it originates in the nasal cavity it is considered nasal cavity cancer, and so on.