Oropharyngeal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the part of the throat at the back of the mouth.

The most common type of oropharyngeal cancer is squamous cell cancer of the oropharynx. Other rare types of cancer can develop in the oropharynx, such as salivary gland cancer, melanoma, lymphoma, small cell cancer and sarcoma.

Oropharyngeal cancers are associated with smoking but there is an increased incidence of

Human Papilloma virus stimulated oropharyngeal cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support has more information about oropharyngeal cancer.

Read more about diagnosing and treating head and neck cancer at UCLH.