EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY ON HEAD AND NECK MALIGNANCIES - A STUDY OF 150 CASES

OBJECTIVE: In the present study we investigate the head and Neck Malignancy cases presenting to the ENT department of our Hospital, and analyze the same to give inputs as to the incidence of head and neck malignancies, the symptoms and stage of presentation, lifestyle and habits as contributory risk factors, identify ENT primary in neck secondaries, histopathological types and selection of best treatment. METHODS: Prospective analysis of 150 patients with newly diagnosed malignancies of nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx and ear. RESULTS: Most malignancies are common in patients greater than 40 years of age. 88% of cancer occur in males. Oropharynx cancer is the most common cancer in our study, with the commonest subsite as base of tongue. Supraglottic and pyriform fossa tumours are the commonest tumour in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers respectively. The most common presentation is dysphagia. Synergistic effect of smoking and alcohol is seen in 50% of patients. Most of the cases were seen in stage III and IV except glottis cancer which is predominantly seen in stage I, almost all cases were squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The results of our study were in conformity with other similar studies. In larynx, Supraglottic was more common as opposed to glottis in certain western studies. Analysis of various factors helps in early diagnosis and management.