World Day Against Cancer of the Head and Neck: A Latent Disease

Every year, more than 550,000 new cases of head and neck cancer (CCC) are reported around the world, a disease that can cause problems eating, talking and even breathing. For this reason, on July 27, the day of her commemoration, she seeks to attract attention so that the symptoms are recognized and the conscience is generated by those who suffer from it.

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Head and neck cancer is a condition that affects the cells lining the tissues or organs of the head and neck area, compromising the nasal cavity, mouth, throat, or throat. salivary glands; in fact, the most common areas in which it develops are the oral cavity in 44%; the larynx, 23%; and the pharynx with 33%.

More than 90% of cases begin in squamous squamous cells that line the surfaces of the mouth, nose and throat, and are known as squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. (CCECC), the sixth most common cancer in the world

Head and neck cancer can occur in people of all ages, although it is more common in young and young adults. aged. 40 years There are lifestyle-related risk factors, such as a diet without fresh and organic foods or smoking with alcohol. Another trigger is infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).

According to the specialist in head and neck surgery, Dr. José Antonio Hakim, it can be said that there are two types of head cancer and neck depending on the patient : the one developed by people aged 50 to 60 who smoke and drink alcohol and those younger patients who have contracted the human papillomavirus (HPV). Indeed, "there is currently a global epidemic of upper gastrointestinal carcinoma in young adults, caused primarily by HPV, which generates fast-growing tumors," says Dr. Hakim.

Why is it important to diagnose it? in time?

60% of patients with head and neck cancer are diagnosed when the disease is locally advanced and, when it is reproduced or metastasized outside the neck region, its prognosis is not very encouraging, since the average life expectancy is only 10 months.

When patients with HPV who develop a type of cancer of the head and neck have access to prompt treatment, they have a cure of up to 80%, says Dr. Hakim; however, "it is very common that there is a late diagnosis, because people are not attentive to their health or because the system hinders access to care," adds the specialist.

A good diagnosis at the time of cancer of the head and neck allows treatment of the local state to reach 46% of patients have a general survival of about 5 years or more.

With regard to treatment, Dr. Hakim states that: "Success is about having a multidisciplinary team of specialists to evaluate each case because they are all different and depend on the condition and condition. location of the disease, as well as the patient's state of health. "

Based on these factors, you may choose a combination of treatments that includes one or more of the following options:

– Chemotherapy

– Radiotherapy

– Surgery

– Targeted Therapy

s agree that the impact of treatments does not mean that patients should be isolated, but that it is an opportunity for they participate in spaces that contribute to their social and emotional development, with the support of their caregivers and their families.

Interest:

Viviana Yepes – Colombia.com