Often people consider head and neck cancer as just mouth cancer, while the truth is that this group covers many types of cancer. This includes oral cavity (mouth), throat (throat), voice box (larynx), nasal, sinuses, thyroid, parotid gland (salivary gland) and even eye sockets (part of the eye). People usually associate it with cancer of the mouth, throat or voice box, because they are more common and they are directly related to tobacco. Chewing tobacco often causes mouth cancer, while smoking causes diseases related to throat, voice box and airway.

Late diagnosis biggest problem

The biggest challenge of head and neck cancer is delay in diagnosis (delayed). This delay is from both sides from the patient and also from the doctor. According to Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director, Surgical Oncology, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, “Many times the patient has problems like mouth ulcers, white patches or changes in voice, but people consider it an infection. Doctors also initially manage antibiotic, pain or steroids. Even dental professionals often treat such symptoms with many rounds of medicine. When these treatment do not work, then there is suspicion of cancer.

Misconceptions related to biopsy

If ulcers, white patch, or red legends in the mouth are not cured by the first medicine, then it is necessary to show the oncologist and get a biopsy immediately. Dr. Malhotra says, “The biggest problem is that people believe that the biopsy will spread cancer. It is a completely myth and can prove to be dangerous for the patient’s life.”

Lack of infrastructure

Special tests such as endoscopy or laryngoscopy are essential to identify cancer of throat, tonsils, base of tongue or larynx. These facilities are available in most big cities hospitals. Due to lack of this facility in Tier-2 and Tier-3 City, it is late to refer patients. The second major problem is the long TAT (turnaround time) of the biopsy report. In small cities, samples first go to the local lab, then from there are sent to the special lab of Metro City. This takes a long time to get the report.

Hope from new technology

Liquid biopsy is a new and easy way, in which cancer markers can be detected only with blood samples. Although this final does not give diagnosis, but the initial idea is definitely there. Robotic surgery has also revolutionized the treatment of head and neck cancer. Especially for those patients whose cancer occurs inside the throat, the base of tongue or tonsils. The cancer can be removed from the robotic system without putting large cuts on the face. With technology like frozen section analysis, a biopsy report is now available in 20 minutes during surgery. From this, the decision can be taken immediately and the patient does not have to undergo repeated surgery.

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Disclaimer: Some information given in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, you must consult the concerned expert.

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