Head and Neck Cancer – An Understanding

Head and neck cancer is a broad term used to describe a number of malignant tumors which occur in or around the throat, mouth, larynx, sinuses and nose. Generally head and neck cancer develops in the flat squamous cells in the head and neck. As around 90% of this type of cancer are squamous cell carcinomas, and so it is also referred as head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).

Depending on the area of the head and the neck that is effected, the cancer is further categorised into several types. Below is the classification:

Larynx – Also called the voice box larynx is short passageway just below the pharynx in the neck. It is formed by cartilages and contains the vocal cords. This organ is extremely important breathing, talking and swallowing of food and drinks. The cancer in this part is called laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer.

Oral Cavity – It consists of the lips, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the gums, lining inside the cheeks and lips, bony top of the mouth, bottom of the mouth under the tongue and small area of the gum behind the wisdom teeth. Cancer in this area is called oropharyngeal cancer.

Like wise the cancer in the nasal cavity is called paransal sinus cancer. While nasopharyngeal cancer effects the upper part of the throat behind the nose. The salivary gland cancer is rarest kind of cancer.

The major causes of head and mouth cancer are poor oral health, overconsumption of paan, consumption of preserved food or food with high salt content can lead to cancer in the nasal cavity. Regular consumption of mate, a tea like beverage popular in South America, is also regarded as a major cause of head and mouth cancer.

In India, head and mouth cancer is the most common type of cancer. Almost one-third of the cancer incidence in India relates to head and mouth. The main causes of this cancer among Indians is consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Especially intake of smokeless tobacco like gutka, paan and chewing of betel nuts. As men use these products more than the women, they are more prone to this type of cancer.

Though 90% of the cases can be prevented by avoiding the consumption of the above mentioned items, early diagnonsis and treatment too go a long way in controlling the cancer. But in India most cases are diagnoised at a later stage, do not get the proper treatment and there are several cases where the rehabilitation and palliation is not proper.

For information on head and neck cancer treatment, visit www.manipalinternationalpatientcare.com or email at mipc@manipalhospitals.com.