Head tumors are composed of a mass of cells growing in the head, and can be cancerous or noncancerous. When the cells of the tumor are cancerous, they grow uncontrollably and have the potential to kill neighboring tissue and spread to other parts of the body. There are several types of head tumors, which are classified based upon the cells that form the tumor.
Nasopharyngeal Tumor
The nasopharynx is the region of the upper throat, behind the nose and above the soft part of the roof of the mouth. As is the case with all tumors, nasopharyngeal tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous, also called malignant or benign tumors, respectively. Benign nasopharangeal tumors occur only rarely, and most often affect children or adolescents, according to the American Cancer Society. The most common type of nasopharyngeal tumor is nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which begins in the epithelial cells that line the nasopharynx. Merck Manuals reports that the signs and symptoms of this type of head tumor include a blood discharge from the nose, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, stuffy nose and even hearing loss if the tumor grows into the ear canal.
Brain Tumor
The Mayo Clinic reports that the signs and symptoms of brain tumors can be quite diverse, and depend upon exactly which region of the brain is affected by the growing tumor. The tumor can cause changes in thoughts, behavior, muscle movement or sensation by destroying normal brain tissue, or by exerting pressure on various areas of the brain. The signs and symptoms of a brain tumor include: headaches, especially when they change in pattern, frequency, or severity; nausea and vomiting, with no other apparent cause; loss of sensation in one or more limbs; difficulty speaking, seeing, and/or hearing; and changes in personality or behavior.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Mouth
Merck Manuals reports that oral squamous cell carcinoma is a type of head tumor that affects 30,000 people in the U.S. each year, making squamous cell carcinoma the most common type of head tumor. Over 95 percent of those with this type of cancer have a history of smoking, drinking alcohol or both. Squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth often begins in the floor of the mouth and the sides of the tongue. The signs and symptoms of this type of head tumor are generally mild in the early stages, and may be confused with another type of mouth sore. Merck Manuals recommends that a person's mouth be carefully screened from squamous cell carcinoma every time he visits a dentist.
Acoustic Neuroma
An acoustic neuroma is a rare though benign tumor of the nerves that grow deep in the inner ear, according to the Acoustic Neuroma Association. These nerves connect the inner ear to the brain, and transmit sound to the brain or help a person maintain balance. This type of head tumor is quite slow growing, but over time can grow quite large. Large tumors can exert pressure on brain tissue or nerves that transmit messages between the brain and muscles.
