DEMOGRAPHY AND INTENT OF CURE OF PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK CARCINOMA PRESENTING TO A TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN INDIA: URGENT NEED FOR AWARENESS PROGRAMS TO RECOGNIZE EARLY LESIONS

Abstract

Objective- the study aims to report the demographic prole and intent of cure of head and neck cancer patients at our center. Method- This singlecenter retrospective study was conducted in the department of Radiation Oncology, S.N. Medical College, Agra from Jan 2018 to Dec 2020. All the head and neck cancer patients registered in the department were included in the study. Total number of patients, their demographic prole, tumor characteristics, performance status, and intent of cure were assessed. Results- 2063 patients were included in the analysis. M:F ratio was 9: 1 and 45% of patients were from districts outside Agra. The most common histological type was squamous cell carcinoma accounting for 92% of cases.84% of patients presented in an advanced stage. The most common subsite to be involved was the oral cavity, almost 62.5%,followed by the oropharynx which accounted for 19%. The intent of treatment as assessed on the day of registration was curative in 58%, palliative in 33% and supportive in 8% of patients. Conclusion- This study reports the demographic prole of patients with head and neck cancers registered at our center. The results point to an urgent need for awareness programs for the early detection of disease and mass awareness against the use of tobacco.