Head and neck cancers are classified by their site of origin — nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, oral cavity, or salivary glands — each requiring a distinct treatment approach.
Approximately twice as many men as women develop head and neck cancers, with most diagnoses occurring in individuals over the age of 50.
When identified at an early stage, head and neck cancers respond well to surgical and adjunct therapies with significantly improved survival rates and quality of life outcomes.
A sore throat or pain in the throat that does not resolve over several weeks, sometimes accompanied by difficulty breathing or speaking, may indicate pharyngeal involvement.
A painless or tender lump or swelling in the neck is often the first visible sign of head and neck cancer, typically representing a lymph node enlarged due to metastatic spread.
Unexplained hoarseness, a muffled voice, or persistent changes in voice quality lasting more than two weeks may indicate laryngeal (voice box) cancer.
A sensation of food getting stuck, painful swallowing, or progressive difficulty eating solid foods can point to cancers of the throat or oropharynx.
Persistent nasal congestion, recurrent nosebleeds, or sinus infections that do not respond to antibiotics may be early indicators of nasal cavity or paranasal sinus cancer.
Unexplained pain or ringing in the ears, or difficulty hearing, especially when one-sided, can be a referred symptom from tumors in the throat or nasopharynx.
Significant unintentional weight loss alongside any of the above symptoms warrants urgent specialist evaluation for possible malignancy.
Cigarettes, bidis, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco products like gutka and pan masala are the single largest risk factor for head and neck cancers — strongly linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box.
Heavy or chronic alcohol use significantly raises the risk, and when combined with tobacco, the carcinogenic effect multiplies dramatically — making the combination particularly dangerous.
Approximately 70% of oropharyngeal cancers — involving the tonsils, soft palate, and base of tongue — are linked to Human Papillomavirus (HPV), particularly strain HPV-16.
EBV infection is associated with nasopharyngeal cancer and certain salivary gland malignancies, particularly in populations from Southeast Asia.
Prolonged workplace exposure to wood dust, formaldehyde, asbestos, nickel, and textile or ceramic chemicals increases the risk of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers.
A thorough clinical evaluation combined with endoscopy, biopsy, and advanced imaging — CT, MRI, and PET-CT scans — determines the exact site, stage, and extent of spread to guide the most appropriate treatment plan.
The primary treatment for most head and neck cancers involves complete surgical removal of the tumor with adequate margins, preserving as much normal structure and function as possible.
Selective or comprehensive neck dissection is performed to remove cancerous or at-risk lymph nodes in the neck, preventing regional metastatic spread and improving long-term outcomes.
Following tumor excision, microsurgical free flap reconstruction — using tissue from the forearm, thigh, or fibula — restores the form and function of the jaw, tongue, palate, or pharynx.
Targeted radiotherapy is used post-operatively to eliminate residual cancer cells, or as a primary treatment modality when surgery is not feasible due to tumor location or patient condition.
Chemotherapy is combined with radiation for advanced or unresectable head and neck cancers. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy agents offer additional options for recurrent or metastatic disease.
Schedule your consultation at our Jubilee Hills clinic at a time that suits you.
Thorough examination of your jaw, bite, muscles, and joint plus review of imaging if available.
Clear explanation of your diagnosis with a personalized, staged treatment roadmap.
Start your individualized treatment with ongoing support through recovery and long-term follow-up.