Oncologist remembers the case of a 30-something man who was diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
Oncologist remembers the case of a 30-something man who was diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
A 30-something man, who had a huge lump on the left side of his neck, sat down in front of me. Upon being examined, a sinister-looking ulcerated growth was spotted at the back of his tongue. The man told me that he had not been eating, as a result of which he had lost weight.
Two days later, a biopsy confirmed the presence of a squamous cell cancer.
It was a déjà vu moment for me—a young life again going down the drain on account of the momentary pleasures associated with tobacco use.
Tobacco causes different kinds of cancers, as well as heart and lung diseases. Yet, people spend a fortune on consuming tobacco throughout their lives. Is that not shocking?
Alcohol and tobacco are close companions; nearly 75% of head and neck cancer cases are related to the combined use of these two substances.
Cancer is like an unfortunate accident—it can happen to anyone. However, consuming alcohol and tobacco (chewing or smoking) is akin to standing in front of a speeding truck in the middle of the road.
Head and neck cancers generally present with non-healing/bleeding ulcers in the mouth, excess salivation, pain and difficulty in swallowing, change or hoarseness in voice, difficulty in breathing, and neck swellings. In case of such symptoms, a doctor needs to be consulted urgently. Remember that is possible to cure head and neck cancer if it is detected early.
This article has been written by Dr. Prashant Mehta, Consultant and Unit Head-Oncology/Hematoncology/BMT, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad.
Tags: alcohol, biopsy, excess salivation, head and neck cancer, hoarseness, tobacco, ulcers
It encompasses cancers of the oral cavity, tongue, tonsils, oropharynx, and larynx.
The introduction of the newer modalities of systemic treatment has made impact in better survival outcomes.
Symptoms of head & neck cancer include blood in phlegm, lump in the neck, skin changes, change in voice, difficulty in swallowing and a sore that does not heal.
The use of radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy has been demonstrated to yield more positive results over just use of radiotherapy alone.
People consuming tobacco and alcohol are at greater risk of developing this cancer
Multi-disciplinary approach with new surgical and radiation techniques, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy can help in reducing morbidity rates.
It can be prevented by making changes in lifestyle
Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. There are approximately 650,000 cases and 200,000 deaths from this disease every year.
Keep an eye out for the symptoms and visit a physician as early as possible.
One of the major causes of the disease is tobacco use.
Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are the treatment options.
Head and neck cancer collectively refers to cancers of the oral cavity, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses.
Of the 10 lakh cases of cancer detected in the country every year, around 2 lakh are cancers of the head and neck, says oncologist.
The country has one of the highest rates of oral cancer in the world due to tobacco use, and the rates are still increasing.
Infection with HPV, overexposure to UV rays, and advancing age are the other risk factors.
According to oncologist, a lump in the neck can be the first sign.
Usage of tobacco and alcohol is associated with a high risk of developing head and neck cancer.
Alcohol and tobacco addiction are the most common causes.
Tobacco and alcohol are the main causes. People who use both tobacco and alcohol are at a greater risk than those who use only one or the other.
According to expert, the above is a symptom of head and neck cancer.
Oncologist remembers the case of a 30-something man who was diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
Persistent mouth ulcers and a lump in the throat are the major symptoms.
The combined consumption of alcohol and tobacco reportedly increases the risk of head and mouth cancer by 15 times.
These cancers affect more men than women. For men alone, there were 92,000 new cases of throat and tongue cancer last year.
These cancers are caused due to tobacco use. Excessive consumption of alcohol, advancing age, and Human Papilloma Virus infection are the other contributory factors.
The other risk factors include consumption of alcohol and infection with Human Papilloma Virus.
Cancers developing in or around the mouth, pharynx, larynx, nose, or sinuses are broadly referred to as head and neck cancer.
