Analytic Evaluation of the Prevalence of Head and Neck Cancers among Patients with Different Kinds of Cancers Visited in Radiotherapy Department of Nemazee Hospital, 2003-2004

Abstract

Statement of Problem: Head and neck cancers represent approximately 2-5% of neoplasms which is more in some countries. For example, 50% of cancers in India are of oral cavity and pharyngeal origin. Head and neck cancers are more prevalent in men, but in some regions of oral cavity, this ratio may be reversed. The majority of patients diagnosed with Head and neck cancers were over the age of 40 years.Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine the number of persons with head and neck cancer who were admitted in Radiotherapy Department of Nemazee Hospital during 2003-2004.Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study from 2003 to 2004, 496 subjects with head and neck cancers referred to Radiotherapy Department of Nemazee Hospital were evaluated. All patients were categorized according to sex, age, dose of irradiation and localization of the tumor.Results: The mean age of patients was 49 for men and 43 years for women. The most common site of the head and neck cancers was the brain (228 cases, 46%), followed by neck (57 cases, 11.5%) and larynx (56 cases, 11.3%). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most common tumor followed by astrocytoma, meningioma and lymphoma. It was shown that, comparison with other results, there were some similarities as well as differences in some instances.Conclusion: This research revealed that approximately 13.5% of patients who were admitted in Radiotherapy Department of Nemazee Hospital suffered from head and neck cancers. Due to complications of radiotherapy specially osteoradionecrosis, proper dental management plans before and after treatment seems necessary.Key words: Head and neck cancers, Nemazee Hospital, Radiotherapy Department, Shiraz