"Insight in to Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck Region: Current Statistics"

Background: Literature wires a rise in incidence of oral cancer despite advancements in the diagnostic modalities and technologies. For centuries it was believed to be the disease of elderly age group but recently this has increased in the early age group males specially. Methodology: This review critically examines many publications devoted to squamous cell carcinoma's risk factors, diagnostic and prognostic markers. All the data from the last ten years with latest updates has is being organized and statistics presented. Observations and Results: Striking reports are evident that younger individuals who have never smoked or consumed alcohol, which are recognized risk factors in older groups, or the consumption and duration of exposure of the risk factors are too short for malignant transformation are still suffering from this fatal disease. The information on etiological factors of this disease including occupational, familial risk, immune deficits and virus infections are insufficient. The genetic abnormality seen in the younger age group is seen to be similar to that of the older age group although the studies supporting this evidence are rare; however, there is a conflict in regards to gender distribution. Conclusion: Knowledge of the global demography, current statistics and risk factors, diagnostic and prognostic markers is very important in order to accelerate further progress in this field, improvise effective prognostic system and anticancer therapy and reduce the mortality rates.