There isn't a simple answer to this question. This is because there are a number of different types of cancer which can develop in the mouth and throat and the surrounding tissues (such as the nasal sinuses or the salivary glands).

Doctors group these cancers together as 'head and neck' cancers but different types of treatment may be needed for different types of tumours. So, no one treatment or combination of treatments, is best for everybody. Treatments may involve surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these.

Choosing the right treatment depends on many factors, including:

• the type of cancer
• where it is
• its stage
• the person's age, general health and fitness.

Your uncle's feelings are also important in making treatment choices.

Highly specialised skills are needed when caring for people with head and neck cancers. In addition to surgical and medical care specialist nurses, speech therapists, dentists and dietitians may all be needed to ensure your uncle gets all the care he requires. So, it is important that he is looked after by a team that specialises in the treatment of cancers of the head and neck.

To help professionals caring for people with head and neck cancers the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, NICE, have produced guidelines. They have issued a version of these guidelines for patients carers and the public.