OBJECTIVES: Encompassing a group of cancers originating from the upper aero-digestive tract, head and neck cancers are ranked in the top ten for both incidence and mortality among all malignancies globally. This study aimed to estimate trends in total secondary care costs associated with the treatment of head and neck cancers in England from 2006/2007 to 2010/2011. METHODS: Data on inpatient and outpatient activity associated with oropharyngeal, oral cavity and laryngeal cancer was extracted from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database. After grouping inpatient episodes into spells, a single Healthcare Resource Group (HRG) was derived for each and then cross-referenced with the National Tariff 2010/11 to estimate the associated cost. For specific types of therapy, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, HRG definitions were cross-referenced with the National Reference Costs for the latest available year and inflated using the PCI index. Outpatient costs were estimated by grouping consultations by treatment speciality.  RESULTS: The total cost of treatment for all cancers over the entire period was estimated to be around £309 million, at 2011 prices. Inpatient care covered by bundled HRGs accounted for over 90% of this cost, at £280 million. Total costs due to oropharyngeal cancer were slightly higher than those estimated for laryngeal and oral cancer, costing £115 million (37.06%), £96 million (31.15%)  and £98 million (31.79%) respectively. There was, generally, an increasing trend in the secondary care burden of all three cancers. Annual costs and patient numbers increased the most for oropharyngeal cancer, with annual inpatient costs increasing from £16,576,046 in 2006/07 to £28,467,016 in 2010/11. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that there is a significant, and increasing, health and economic burden  associated with head and neck cancers in England, highlighting the need for preventative programmes.