Prevalence of head and neck cancers in the north east—An institutional study

In India, head and neck cancers (HNCA) account for 30–40% cancers at all sites. In North-eastern India, where this study was conducted, tobacco related oral cancer is very common which may be due to widespread habit of chewing tobacco. The lack of any study in this regard and alarmingly high prevalence of cancers of head and neck in this part of India has prompted us to take up this study. A retrospective study on prevalence of cancer in various head and neck regions like oropharynx, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus and nasal cavity was conducted in Department of Otolaryngology, Silchar Medical College and Hospital from 1993 to 2004.The prevalence is found to be significantly high at 54.48%, affecting males more than females in the age group of 40–69 years. HNCA of oropharynx and oral cavity constituted a major burden of total body cancer.This study hopes to quantify and 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.