Head and neck cancers — including cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, nose, and salivary glands — represent a significant proportion of cancers in India, largely attributable to widespread tobacco and betel nut use.
Risk Factors
- **Tobacco**: Smoking and smokeless tobacco (gutka, khaini, pan masala) are the leading causes
- **Alcohol**: Heavy consumption significantly elevates risk
- **HPV Infection**: Human Papillomavirus (HPV-16 and 18) is a rising cause, particularly in oropharyngeal cancers
- **Betel nut / Pan chewing**: Strongly linked to oral submucous fibrosis and oral cancer
- **Sun exposure**: Risk factor for lip cancer
- **Poor oral hygiene**: A contributing factor for oral cavity cancers
Warning Signs
- A non-healing ulcer or sore in the mouth for more than 2 weeks
- White or red patches (leukoplakia/erythroplakia) in the mouth
- Persistent hoarseness or voice change
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- A lump or swelling in the neck
- Persistent sore throat or ear pain
- Numbness in the tongue or lips
What to Do
If you notice any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks, seek evaluation immediately. These symptoms do not always mean cancer — but they must be investigated.
At AHPGIC, Dr. Nitya Nutan Misra sees patients with head and neck complaints regularly and offers rapid assessment, scope examination, imaging, and biopsy services for accurate diagnosis.
Early-stage head and neck cancers are frequently curable with surgery alone or surgery plus radiation. Stage IV disease requires multimodality treatment and is far more challenging — which is why early presentation is critical.