Head and neck cancer collectively refers to cancers of the oral cavity, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses.
Head and neck cancer collectively refers to cancers of the oral cavity, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses.
Head and neck cancer is one of the most common cancers in India. It collectively refers to cancers of the oral cavity, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses.
The most important risk factor is the use of tobacco and alcohol. According to studies, nearly 85 percent of head and neck cases are linked to tobacco usage and approximately 75 percent of cases are caused by the use of both tobacco and alcohol. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), vitamin deficiencies, exposure to dust, poor oral hygiene, and prolonged exposure to x-rays or sunlight are other risk factors.
Like most other cancers, the chances of developing head and neck cancer increase with age. It is also found that more men than women suffer from this disease.
The symptoms depend on where the cancer develops. Tumors in the larynx and pharynx manifest as a lump in the throat. Mouth cancers cause swelling in the jaw or sores in the mouth. Head and neck cancers can also lead to a change in voice, headache, sore throat, and pain in the ears.
Head and neck cancer can be diagnosed through endoscopy, biopsy, MRI, CT scan, and PET scan. The treatment is based on the site and stage of the tumour.
Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy are the most common treatment options. Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. The most prevalent types of radiation therapies include Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT).
Chemotherapy prevents the ability of the cancerous cells to divide or grow. Targeted therapy helps target specific genes, proteins, or tissues, thereby preventing the spread of the cancer.
This article has been written by Dr. PU Prakash Saxena, MBBS, MD, FAGE, Professor & Head, Department of Radiotherapy & Oncology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore.
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.
