In India, head and neck cancer is the second most common cancer in men, and the third most common cancer in women.

These include various types of cancer that arise in the mouth, neck, throat, nose, sinuses, ear, larynx, salivary glands, thyroid gland, and skin.

Symptoms vary by location. Oral cancers often appear as painful ulcers that do not heal within 2 to 3 weeks, while voice box cancers usually cause a change in voice.

Common symptoms include mouth ulcers that don’t heal, teeth loosening on their own, pain when swallowing, change in voice, difficulty swallowing food, difficulty breathing, lumps in the neck, and bleeding from the nose or mouth.

Doctors at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, said cancer rates in India vary by region due to local practices and exposure to carcinogens.

Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra have a high incidence of oral cancer due to excessive tobacco use. The incidence of pharyngeal cancer is particularly high in the northeastern states.

In rural Andhra Pradesh, a unique smoking pattern called reverse smoking results in high rates of palate cancer.

These regional differences highlight the influence of lifestyle and environmental factors on cancer incidence across the country.

Risk factors include alcohol consumption, HPV (human papillomavirus) infection, chronic irritation from sharp teeth, and ill-fitting dentures.

According to Dr Harshvir Singh Malhi, Head of Oncology Medical Affairs, Merck Healthcare, these factors contribute to a lesser extent than the dominant impact of tobacco products in our country.

This includes both smoking tobacco and smokeless tobacco. Examples of smokeless tobacco include paan, Zarda, gutka, kharra, mawa, And tobacco It consists of a dry mixture of betel nut pieces, lime and tobacco powder.

“Since 90% of head and neck cancer cases are lifestyle-related, raising awareness about these causes will go a long way in preventing these cancers. Cancer is curable if detected early. The importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment cannot be overemphasized. This is perhaps the most important factor that determines the outcome,” said Dr. Subramanyam Iyer, Head and Neck Cancer, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.

Recent estimates suggest that India will face 2.1 million new cancer cases by 2040, and head and neck cancers, in particular, will account for 30% of all cancer cases.

Early diagnosis not only significantly improves cure rates, but also significantly reduces side effects and toxicity of cancer treatments.

For example, for oral cancer, the chance of successful treatment drops from 70-80% for early (stage 1 and 2) oral cancer to 40-50% (stage 3 and 4), Dr. Iyer said.

“The increase in cases will put pressure on medical resources, including diagnostic facilities, treatment centres and healthcare workers. The emotional and financial burden on patients and their families will also be immense,” said Dr Sanjay Deshmukh, director of surgical oncology at Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune.

Dr. Rishabh Kumar, Senior Consultant, Radiation Oncology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad said that cancer treatment includes surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which are selected based on the type of cancer, stage and health of the patient.

Advanced techniques such as robotic surgery, IMRT, IGRT, proton therapy, and newer drugs (immunotherapy, targeted therapy) have improved accuracy and significantly reduced side effects in the past decade.

On World Head and Neck Cancer Day, Dr Deshmukh said a multidisciplinary approach is required to effectively tackle the rising incidence of head and neck cancer.

• It is important to educate the public about the risks associated with tobacco and alcohol use, as well as the benefits of HPV vaccination.
• Promoting tobacco cessation programs, encouraging reduction in alcohol consumption, and advocating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risk.
• Implementing regular screenings and checkups can help in early diagnosis, which can lead to more effective treatment. Improved access to dental care and regular health checkups are important components of early detection strategies.
• Expanding HPV vaccination programs, especially among adolescents, may help prevent HPV-related cancers.
• Implementing policies to regulate tobacco and alcohol use, as well as managing occupational exposure to harmful substances, can play an important role in reducing cancer rates.