Head and neck cancers among the most common in India, Oncologists warn

New Delhi: Head and neck cancers are among the leading cancers in India, second only to lung cancer in men and ranking third after breast and lung cancers in women. Healthcare professionals at Amrita Hospital Faridabad and cancer survivors gathered to raise awareness about these cancers ahead of World Head and Neck Cancer Day on July 27.

This year’s theme, “Close the Care Gap,” underscores the need for widespread education and improved access to care.

Dr. Shikhar Sawhney, Consultant in Head & Neck Cancer at Amrita Hospital Faridabad, highlighted “The epidemiology and incidence of head and neck (HN) cancer differ between India and the West. Oral cancers are more prevalent in India, earning it the title ‘Oral Cancer Capital of the World.’ It is the second most common cancer in India, unlike in the West, where better tobacco control has reduced its incidence.”

“Conversely, HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer has surged in the West, reaching epidemic proportions, while in India, it remains a minority at 5-10%. There is a strong likelihood that HPV related cancers, just like the west, will rise in India as well in the coming decade or so. Globally, cancer rates are rising due to unhealthy lifestyles, increased longevity, and better medical facilities. In India, the highest surge is predicted to be seen in oral cancers, particularly among males,” Dr. Sawhney explained.

Regional variations in cancer incidence are influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, and Maharashtra have high rates of oral cancers due to extensive tobacco use. In northeastern states, pharyngeal cancers are disproportionately high, while reverse smoking in rural Andhra Pradesh contributes to higher rates of palatal cancers.

Dr. Subhramania Iyer, Head of the Department of Head & Neck Cancer at Amrita Hospital Faridabad, emphasized, “Since 90% of HN cancers are lifestyle-related, limiting exposure to the said causes will go a long way to prevent these cancers. Cancer is curable, if detected early. The importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment cannot be over-emphasized. It is perhaps the single-most important factor that determines outcomes. Early diagnosis not only significantly improves cure rates, it also decreases the side effects and toxicity of cancer directed treatment immensely. For instance, for oral cancers, the chance of successful cure drops down from 70-80% for early (stage 1&2) oral cancers to 40-50% (stage 3&4).”

Dr. Rishabh Kumar, Senior Consultant, Radiation Oncology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad noted, “There are three main cancer treatment options: surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The choice of treatment depends on the cancer’s site, stage, and the patient’s overall health. Oral cancers are primarily treated with surgery, adding radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy in advanced stages, while pharyngeal cancers often use non-surgical methods due to surgical morbidity.”

“With regards to radiotherapy, newer and more advanced radiotherapy machines and techniques like IMRt, IGRT, proton therapy etc. have massively reduced radiation related toxicities while delivering efficient and precise radiation to destroy cancer cells. Similarly, more availability of newer drugs like immunotherapy and targeted therapy have made it possible to target very precise mutational changes specific to each cancer to nip the problem in the bud without the excessive side effects which conventional chemotherapy often has,” he added.

Over the past decade, advancements in robotic surgery and intraoperative nerve monitoring have improved surgical precision and reduced side effects. Advanced radiotherapy techniques and new drugs have further enhanced treatment options.

A cancer survivor shared their experience, saying, “My journey with head and neck cancer began when I noticed a persistent sore in my mouth that wouldn’t heal. The diagnosis was devastating, and the prospect of treatment was overwhelming. However, the dedicated team at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, and the state-of-the-art techniques such as robotic surgery and precise radiotherapy minimized side effects and improved my quality of life. Today, I am cancer-free and grateful to the incredible team at Amrita Hospital for helping me overcome this challenging journey,” said a survivor.