The most common pharyngeal or throat cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. It arises from the cells that form the lining of the throat. Other less common types of cancers affecting this region are salivary gland cancers, lymphoma and mucosal melanoma. Very rare cancers include adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, sarcomas, malignant fibrous histiocytoma and peripheral neuroectodermal tumour (PNET). (Head and Neck cancer guide)