Distribution Of Head And Neck Cancers In Kashmir Valley
R PAMPORI, I SHAMAS, S Islam
Citation
R PAMPORI, I SHAMAS, S Islam. Distribution Of Head And Neck Cancers In Kashmir Valley. The Internet Journal of Head and Neck Surgery. 2009 Volume 4 Number 2.
Abstract
Cancer of the head, face and neck is more common inAsians and is one of the commonest malignancies in India, accounting for 23% of all cancers in males and 6% in females. Head and neck cancer (HNC) includes tumours of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Other major HNCs include skin and salivary gland tumors including parotid tumors, skin malignancies, basal cell carcinoma, etc. The incidence of HNC increases with age; most patients being older than age 50 .The major risk factor for development of HNC is tobacco use. The effect is both time and dose dependent. Use of tobacco and alcohol together increases the risk of oral cancer 15 times. Cancer patterns vary not only throughout the world but also between different population groups within the same country. Kashmir valley is distinct from rest of India as far as its geography, climate, social and dietary habits are concerned. The over whelming population of valley is Muslims
Introduction
Cancer of the head, face and neck is more common in
Asians and is one of the commonest malignancies in India, accounting for 23% of all cancers in males and 6% in females. Head and neck cancer (HNC) includes tumours of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Other major HNCs include skin and salivary gland tumors including parotid tumors, skin malignancies, basal cell carcinoma, etc. The incidence of HNC increases with age; most patients being older than age 50 .The major risk factor for development of HNC is tobacco use. The effect is both time and dose dependent. Use of tobacco and alcohol together increases the risk of oral cancer 15 times.
Cancer patterns vary not only throughout the world but also between different population groups within the same country. Kashmir valley is distinct from rest of India as far as its geography, climate, social and dietary habits are concerned. The over whelming population of valley is Muslims
Materials and Methods
A retrospective study on prevalence of cancers in various head and neck regions like nasal cavity, para-nasal sinuses, nasopharynx, larynx, oral cavity, salivary glands, thyroid and others was conducted in department of otorhinolaryngology. Head and neck surgery of SMHS Hospital Govt.Medical College Srinagar from
Results
During the period of ten years a total of
Second most common tumour which presented to us was that involving the thyroid gland
Tumous involving nose and & PNS constituted
Tumours involving nasopharynx were
Tumour of salivary glands constituted
Tumours involving oral cavity constituted only
Discussion
In our study most common tumour found was that involving the larynx/ hypo pharynx followed by thyroid tumours. The high incidence of laryngeal/hypopharyngeal may be attributed to the smoking habits of the people of valley. In Kashmir valley the mode of smoking is through hubble bubble (hukka) wherein the smoke is directly inhaled at a higher negative pressure.
This is in contrast to a similar study done by A. Bhattacharjee wherein he found oropharyngeal cancers were most common head and neck cancers in north east India. Oropharyngeal tumours constitute
The high incidence of thyroid malignancy especially papillary carcinoma can be attributed to the high incidence of goitre in the sub-Himalayan region which has been known as a iodine deficient zone.
Conclusion
This study shows that distribution patterns of head and neck cancers is different in Kashmir valley as compared to the rest of India. Oral cancers are not that common in valley as compared to rest of India.
This study hopes to quantify and analyse the spectrum of HNCA and should help as a much needed population based study in his region.