Dr. Bonapart Chowdhury,
BACKGROUND Head and neck malignancy is one of the common cancers worldwide with an increasing number in the subcontinent. Oral cavity is by far the most predominant location in the head and neck region for primary malignant tumours. Metastases to head and neck area can occur either from local structures or from distant organs. In most cases, the head and neck region is the primary site for metastasis. In North Eastern part of India, the prevalence was found to be as high as 54.48%. Such high prevalence in this region is indicative of several factors that predispose to HNCA. METHODS 100 patients with suspected head and neck neoplasm where malignancy was proved by biopsy were included in this study. A detailed history of their socio-cultural background like community, religion, food habit, substance abuse, age, sex, occupation etc. was taken and analysed. RESULTS The overall frequency of malignancy was higher in males (70.6%) with male: female ratio 2.4: 1 with highest incidence in 5th to 6th decade. Metastatic neck node was found in 74.13% of patients with occult primary in 1.72% of them. Histologically 74.86% were squamous cell carcinomas. Primary site was predominantly hypopharynx with 39.02% incidence. CONCLUSIONS Head and neck malignancies are more common in elderly males in their 5th and 6th decade and majority of these are squamous cell carcinomas which presented as metastatic neck nodes.
