General introduction to head and neck cancer: Etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, staging, prevention, and treatment

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a term used for cancers originating from lip and oral cavity, salivary glands, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. The global incidence of head and neck cancer was 4.9% of all cancers and stood sixth among the top 10 most common types of cancers based on the estimated number of new cases according to Globocan world cancer data for the year 2018. The rate of incidences for different types of HNC varied in different continents based on the relative exposure of the population to various HNC-causing exposomes. Among the several exposomes, tobacco exposure has been found to be the predominant factor contributing to the development of HNC, and its usage in combination with alcohol has been found to increases its risk even more. HNC is of significant concern because approximately two-thirds of patients with HNC are diagnosed at stage III or IV. Therefore, this chapter discusses in detail the exposomes triggering HNC, their symptoms, diagnosis, reason for delayed diagnosis, staging of HNC, measures for prevention, and their stagewise treatment.