By Dr Sonia Suprabha Venugopal, ENT Specialist Bangalore

Head and neck cancersaccount for 3- 10 % of cancers worldwide but in the Indian Subcontinent it accounts for upto 45 % of cancers. Worldwide the occurence of these cancers is increasing.Awareness of the signs and symptoms goes a long way in early detection and cure.
What all cancers are the mainhead and neck cancers?
1. Voice box[ larynx]
2.Nose ,sinuses, nasopharynx[ at back of nose]
3.Mouth and throat - [ lips ,lining of mouth,tongue,pharynx]
4.Thyroid
5.Salivary glands
Who is affected?
•Sex: both males and females are affected though in general it is more in males
•Age: more in older age groups
What are the risk factors ?
1.smoking tobacco is the number 1 risk factor forhead and neck cancers
2.alcohol
3.tobacco and betel nut chewing- gutka,pan
4.genetic contribution in some
5.viral infections [epstein barr virus for carcinoma nasopharynx,HPV for certain pharyngeal cancers]
6.radiation
7.occupational risk- exposure to some agents increases cancer risk
•asbestos industry
•wood workers,textile industry
•mustard gas,plastics
•nickel,paint,cement ,pesticides
What are the warning signs and symptoms ?
1.lump/swelling in neck
2.white discoloration in mouth
3.red discoloration in mouth
4.bleeding from nose or mouth
5.difficulty swallowing-cancer throat
6.pain on swallowing- cancer throat
7.change in voice or hoarseness- for cancer larynx[ voice box]
8.alteration in speaking - if affecting tongue and throat,voice box
9.ulcer in mouth, lips or tongue-they are painless at first and all the more sinister
10.swelling in mouth lips or tongue
11.persistent ear pain
12.gum swelling
What are the preventive strategies?
•Stop smoking
•Consume alcohol only in moderation or best not at all
•Take timely treatment for warning signs and symptoms ofhead and neck cancersstated above
•Do not use pan or gutka
•Self examination of mouth and neck on a regular basis

Dr Sonia Suprabha Venugopal
Consultant ENT & Head & Neck Surgery
Sonia & Prateek's ENT Speciality Center,Sahakaranagar, Bangalore
Website:

ENT Specialist Bangalore