Trends in the incidence of head and neck cancer in northeast India: five year single center study

Dr. M. N. Baruah

Volume : VI, Issue : XII, December - 2017

Trends in the incidence of head and neck cancer in northeast India: five year single center study

Dr. M. N. Baruah

Abstract :

Background: The incidence of head and neck cancer (HNC) is higher in the north-eastern states than the rest of India. There has been a recent decrease in incidence of HNC in some parts of India. Aim: To study the epidemiology of HNC over a five-year period in the northeastern state of Assam. Setting and Design: Retrospective observational study conducted at a single regional cancer center in Guwahati, Assam. Methods and Materials: We reviewed and analyzed the medical records of all HNC patients registered at the hospital during 2008-2012. The demographic data of patients was correlated with the diagnosis. We specifically included the oral cancers, i.e., cancers of the lip, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, and larynx in our study. Results: 1047 patients had been diagnosed with HNC during the study period. Of these, 80.71% were male. Most common cancers were those of the hypopharynx (29%), oropharynx (28.56%), and oral cavity (26.65%). Hypopharyngeal cancer (32.4%) was the most common HNC among males and oral cancer (40.63%), among females. In both genders, highest incidence of oral cancers was in the 60-69-year-old age group. Conclusion: Results suggest a need to increase HNC awareness, early screening programs, and lifestyle counseling in Assam and neighboring states.