INTRODUCTION:-

 Head & Neck Cancer includes group of malignant tumors situated in areas above collar bone. Areas include Head, Neck, Sinuses, Salivary, Throat and Lymph Nodes. Squamous Cell Carcinoma is most common type in these areas.

CAUSATIVE & RISK FACTORS:-

·         Tobacco: - smoking cigarette, cigar, Snuff, chewing tobacco.

·         Alcohol drinking

·         Chemicals: - Asbestos, chromium, Nickel, Arsenic, Formaldehyde.

·         Other Factors:- Ionizing Radiation, Epstein Barr Syndrome, HPV

GENERAL SYMPTOMS:-

·         Red or white patch on gum, tongue or inner lining of mouth.

·         Unusual bleeding in oral cavity

·         Chronic sinus infection and blockade

·         Frequent headaches, swelling below eyes

·         Pain & swelling in gums

·         Swelling under chin

·         Pain in ear as well

DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION:-

·         Physical examination

·         CT scan

·         MRI

·         BIOPSY

·         PET scan

SYMPTOMS ACCORDING TO PART EFFECTED

HYPO PHARYNX CANCER: –

·         A sore in the throat that doesn’t heal.

·         Difficulty and pain while chewing and swallowing.

·         A change in the voice

·         Pain in the ear.

LARYNGEAL CANCER: –

·         A change in voice or hoarseness.

·         A sensation of a lump, a sore throat, or earache.

·         Difficulty in breathing with wheezing.

·         Hemoptysis.

·         Weight loss, pain, poor breath, and frequent food choking.

·         Difficulty in swallowing.

NASOPHARYNX CANCER: –

·         Loss of hearing.

·         Nasal blockage or stuffiness.

·         Painful nose-bleeds.

·         Difficulty opening the mouth.

·         Blurred or double vision.

SALIVARY GLANDS TUMOR: –

·         A mass or lump in the face, neck  or mouth

·         Pain in one place in the face, neck, or mouth

·         Change in shape & size of face

·         Numbness in part of the face, noticeable weakness of the muscles on either side of the face.

NASAL CAVITY & PARANASAL SINUS CANCER: –

·         Persistent or progressive nasal congestion and stuffiness.

·         Pain above or below the eyes.

·         One sided nasal obstruction

·         Nasal bleeds and nasal drainage in the back of the nose and throat.

·         Pus drainage from the nose

·         Decreased sense or loss of sense of smell

·         Numbness or pain in parts of the face.

·         Growth of tumor in the face

·         Bulging of the eyes or

·         Loss of vision.

STAGING OF CANCER:-

TNM STAGING SYSTEM: - TNM stands for tumor, node and metastases.

“T” describes the size of the tumor, how far it has grown indicating the depth of the tumor. It is numbered as T0 to T 4.

     I.        T0 means that there are no signs of a tumor, but there may be abnormal cells that are pre-cancerous.

   II.        T1 and T2 means the tumor is small and has not started to spread.

  III.        T3 tumors are bigger, or may have started to spread into nearby tissue.

 IV.        T4 is when a tumor has spread into nearby muscles, bones or skin.

“N” describes whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

     I.        N0 means that no lymph nodes are affected.

   II.        N1, N2 or N3 means there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes. The number depends on how many lymph nodes contain cancer cells, the size and where they are in the body.

“M” describes whether the cancer has spread to another part of the body. This is called metastatic cancer.

     I.        M0 means the cancer has not spread.

   II.        M1 means the cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the liver or lungs.

NUMBER STAGING SYSTEM: - This system combines all the information from the TNM staging system and gives it a number from 1 to 4.

     I.        Stage 0:- This is sometimes called carcinoma in situ or precancerous. There are abnormal cells in the lining of the affected area, but they are contained (in situ) and have not spread and if not treated, they are very likely to become cancerous.

   II.        Stage 1 and stage 2 of head and neck cancer: - This describes cancers at an early stage that are usually small and have not spread, may be called as early or localized cancer.

  III.        Stage 3 and stage 4 of head and neck cancer: - This describes bigger cancers that have spread further into nearby lymph nodes, surrounding tissue or both. Doctors sometimes call this locally advanced cancer.

 IV.        Some stage 4 cancers may have spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or liver. This is called metastatic or secondary cancer.

AYURVEDIC HERBS THAT HELP CANCER PATIENTS IN THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY:-

Ayurveda, is the oldest Indian indigenous medicine system of plant drugs is known from very early times for preventing or suppressing various tumors using these natural drugs.

·         Ashwagandha: - The herb ashwagandha has amazing medicinal qualities. They significantly contribute to body’s ability to regain strength and immunity. It has beneficial antioxidant qualities and anti-inflammatory abilities.

·         Curcumin: - It boosts immunity in addition to being a fantastic antioxidant.

·         Guggul: - Guggul is renowned for restoring health and rejuvenating harmed tissues. It boosts the body’s oxidation potentials and hastens the recovery.

And nowadays scientists are keener to researches on complementary and alternative medicine for the management of cancer. It is important to raise awareness and encourage implementation of Ayurvedic therapies for combating cancer and suggest an integrated approach in tumor management and treatment.