These cancers are caused due to tobacco use. Excessive consumption of alcohol, advancing age, and Human Papilloma Virus infection are the other contributory factors.
These cancers are caused due to tobacco use. Excessive consumption of alcohol, advancing age, and Human Papilloma Virus infection are the other contributory factors.
Head and neck cancer is the second most common cancer in India. Around 2 lakh people in India are diagnosed with this disease every year.
The term broadly describes the cancers that develop in or around the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses, or mouth. These cancers begin when healthy cells in these areas change and grow out of control, forming a mass called a tumour. Many of these tumours start in flat squamous cells that form the surface layer of tissues inside the head and neck.
These cancers are caused due to tobacco use, be it smoking of cigarettes or chewing of betel nut and gutka. Excessive consumption of alcohol, advancing age, and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection are the other contributory factors.
The symptoms of head and neck cancer may include a lump or a sore that does not heal, difficulty in swallowing, a change or hoarseness of the voice, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
Tests such as biopsy, endoscopy, molecular testing, X-ray, ultrasound, and CT scan are recommended for the diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
The treatment depends on the location of the tumour, the stage of cancer, and the patient’s age and health condition.
The treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, or a combination of these.
Newer therapies are immunotherapy or targeted therapy, which involve the body’s own mechanisms to fight cancer. Targeted therapy helps target the cancer-specific protein while limiting damage to healthy cells. Immunotherapy boosts the body’s natural defences to fight the cancer, but while it helps in targeting the cancer cells, it may also have an effect on healthy cells.
Friends and family members should take good care of patients and offer emotional support to them.
This article has been written by Dr.A.K.Malhotra, MS, Chief Surgeon, Central Hospital, South Eastern Railway, Kolkata.
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.
