10 year restrospective clinico-pathological analysis of head and neck malignancies in our institution

Head and Neck Malignancies prevalence varies from 20-30%in India, which constitutes malignancies in nasal cavities, paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, cervical oesophagus, parapharyngeal space, ears, scalp, thyroid and salivary glands. Carcinomas, Lymphomas, Sarcomas are the most encountered histopathological variants along with other rare presentations. Smoking, Alcohol, oncogenic viruses, genetic factors, and nutritional deficiencies are the well known documented etiological factors for head and neck malignancies. Patients at the time of presentation are mostly in advanced stage. Treatment options at advanced stages are limited and they tend to be more mutilating with increased morbidity and poor prognosis. Analysis of Head and Neck malignancies serves as a tool for i) Time trends of disease ii) Planning and evaluation of operational activities in all areas of cancer control such as a) Facilities for screening and proper management of cancer patients b) Strategies to create public awareness about these cancers. Pathological data with relevant clinical details during the past 10 years i.e., from 2004 to 2014 were collected from Govt Kilpauk Medical College and Govt Royapettah Hospital. The Age of presentation, sex of the individual, the sites where the diagnosis was done along with final histopathological conclusion were taken into consideration. The data under analysis is distributed over 10 years during which a lot has happened in the field of medicine, such as usage of advanced diagnostic modalities which has helped us to reach every intricate anatomical sub site in head and neck and to detect even early stages of cancer. The histological reports have attained refinement in the form of immunohistochemistry. The retrospective analysis can help us to come to an earlier and accurate diagnosis for the benefit of the patients. Gender and Age distribution of head and neck malignancies can give us an insight in changes in lifestyles which may lead to increased exposure of inciting factors of cancers. With the current burden of cancers, such a in depth analysis remains imperative