Expert Advisory Groups

Head and Neck Expert Advisory Group (EAG)

The overall aim of the Head and Neck Expert Advisory Group (EAG) is to provide specialist advice and guidance to the West Midlands Cancer Alliance (WMCA) on the standards of service for patients with head and neck cancers reflecting current best practice and opportunities for development.

The Head and Neck EAG will aim to ensure that patients with these cancers receive high quality equitable cancer care throughout the West Midlands regardless of geography or socio-economic factors and will, wherever possible, endeavour to improve the standard of care provided.

What is head and neck cancer?

Head and neck cancer is a general term to describe different cancers in this area. These cancers start in the tissues in the head and neck area. For example, in the:

• mouth which includes the tongue, palate, gums and lips
• throat (the pharynx) which is divided into the nasopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx
• nose and sinuses (air-filled spaces in the bones of the face)
• salivary glands which make saliva
• middle ear which contains the ear drum.

About 9 out of 10 head and neck cancers (90%) start in squamous cells. Squamous cells line the surfaces inside the head and neck, such as the mouth, nose and throat.

Squamous cell head and neck cancers don't usually spread to other body organs but they can spread to lymph nodes (also called lymph glands) in the neck. Head and neck cancers are often diagnosed at late stage and through emergency presentation.

Information for patients

Chair:

Somiah Siddiq - Consultant ENT/Head and Neck Surgeon, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust

Deputy Chair: 

VACANT