The title itself draws everybody’s attention as the current month April is the awareness month of oral, head and neck cancer. The incidence, morbidity and death rates due to such cancers are increasing day by day. Therefore it is very much essential in the present era to educate people and to make strategy for prevention and early detection of oral, head and neck cancer.

General Idea

These cancers include all kinds of cancer which involve mouth, throat and other parts of our head and neck portion. Such cancers are classified in a separate category as they mostly affect the cell lining of the special parts and mostly causing Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Due to similarities in presentation, disease sites and highly preventable nature, such cancers are studied in one group ie. oral, head and neck cancer.

General Presentation

Mostly these cancers start with general symptoms like cold, cough and flu. But in a chronic form which does not go easily or in a severe grade.

Most common are-

-Sore throat or nagging cough

-Excessive salivation

-Hoarseness of voice

-Occasional nose bleeds or blood with sputum

-Pain on swallowing or a visible lump

-Teeth problems not resolving properly

-Persistent headache or facial numbness

Common types

-Oral Cancer

-Oropharyngeal / laryngeal cancer/ nasopharyngeal cancer

-Thyroid Cancer

-Salivary Gland Cancer

-Nasal cancer of Paranasal sinuses

Risk Factors/ Predisposing Factors/ Aggravating factors

-Using tobacco in any form for prolonged period

-Oral infection with HPV i.e. Human papillomavirus 

-Exposure to Radiation during disease treatment

-Periodontal diseases for long term

-Occupation related radiation and chemical exposures

Preventive Aspect / Most preventable category of disease is oral, head and neck cancer

Comes under preventable and early diagnosis possible category through proper screening measures.

-By quitting tobacco use in any form and cut back on alcohol consumption

-Early screening for HPV infection

-HPV vaccination

-Early intervention for any symptom related to these areas

-Limited exposure to radiation and chemicals whenever possible

-Early interference for dental problems

-Oral cavities involving tongue, gums and palate, nasal passage, lips, cheeks are to be examined well by the healthcare provider or ENT person for any abnormalities like bleeding, swelling, lumps etc. and these are to be repeated periodically if the individual is from high risk category.

Oral, head and neck cancer and D. S. Research Centre

D. S. Research Centre is currently treating many of such patients all over India. Attainment of proper nutrition as (oral cavity is mostly involved in such patients), D. S. Research Centre’s Nutrient Energy Treatment plays an important role providing proper nutrition keeping up of health and resisting any unfavourable condition is thereby possible.  Slowing down of disease progression rate with attainment of stability and maintenance of good quality life are the key features of success with DS Research Centre’s treatment.

‘ Stay aware, get properly screened and get cured.’