PREVALENCE OF HEAD AND NECK MALIGNANCIES IN NORTH MAHARASHTRA: AN INSTITUTIONAL STUDY

Dr Rajeshree R Gaware; Dr Kunal S Deore; Dr Shubhangi S Rairikar

Volume : VIII, Issue : VII, July - 2019

PREVALENCE OF HEAD AND NECK MALIGNANCIES IN NORTH MAHARASHTRA: AN INSTITUTIONAL STUDY

Dr Rajeshree R Gaware, Dr Kunal S Deore, Dr Shubhangi S Rairikar

Abstract :

In India, head and neck cancers (HNCA) account for 30–40% cancers at all sites. In North–Maharashtra, where this study was conducted, tobacco related oral cancer is very common which may be due to widespread habit of using smokeless tobacco. The lack of any study in this regard and alarmingly high prevalence of cancers of head and neck in this part of Maharashtra has prompted us to take up this study. A retrospective study on prevalence of cancer in various head and neck regions like oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, oesophagus, nasal cavity and Paranasal sinuses was conducted in Department of Pathology, SMBT Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Igatpuri, Nashik from January 2017 to June 2019. The prevalence is found to be significantly high at 30.63%, affecting males more than females in the age group of 40–69 years. Oral cavity cancer constituted a major burden of total body malignancy (TBM). This study aims to analyze the spectrum of HNCA and should help as a starting point for a much needed population based study in this region. A comprehensive effort is needed to identify the cause of such high prevalence, generate awareness and treatment options suited to meet this challenge.