Cancer of the head and neck causes 22,000 deaths per year in Central and South America

Bogotá.- Some 22,000 people die and more than 45,000 are diagnosed each year in Central and South America, where the highest incidence rates are reported by Brazil, the United States. Uruguay and Argentina, as well as Cuba, "The region reports 7% of deaths worldwide due to cancer of the head and neck and also has one of the highest incidence rates. (new cases of head and neck cancer). "Colombian Sandra Perdomo, who is part of a Latin American research project of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) on this carcinoma, said to Efe

Perdomo cited an IARC analysis that collected information from 48 records in 18 countries in Central and South America and in which it was detected that among those with the highest incidence of head and neck cancers are Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, as well as the In the registered countries, Brazil has the highest incidence rates (19.7 per 100,000 population for men and 5 for women), followed by Uruguay. (16.9 and 10.1), Cuba (10 and 3.6), Argentina (6.4 and 2.2), Colombia (5.2 and 3), Chile (3.4 and 1.6) and Peru (3 and 2.8)

The smallest number of new cases is reported by El Salvador and Mexico below 2.7 per 100,000 population; and Bolivia and Ecuador, with rates less than 2.

Cancer of the head and neck can compromise the nasal cavity and throat, but it is more common in the mouth, larynx and the pharynx.

of IARC, called "InterCHANGE" and which includes research centers in Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, consumption of alcohol and tobacco is the main risk factor associated with this carcinoma.

For Perdomo, molecular epidemiologist and expert In the biology and cancer clinic, the high incidence of this disease in several countries in the region is associated with high consumption of tobacco and alcohol.

International organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have warned that the human papillomavirus (HPV) can also infect the mouth and throat and contribute to the development of cancer in these sites.

"Unprotected oral sex with a person who has contracted HPV exposes him to develop this cancer. Patients with HPV develop a type of head and neck cancer that generates fast-growing tumors, so it's important to access timely treatment, "says Clara Arango, an oncology consultant.

At least 500,000 new cases and 375,000 deaths from head and neck cancer are reported around the world.

The IARC estimates that if the trend persists, the global burden of head and neck cancer will increase by 34% by 2030, register a million new cases and 576,000 deaths a year, while 39 in Central and South America increase by 7% (72,985 new cases and 37,909 deaths).

This Friday, July 27 is World Head and Neck Cancer Day, which seeks to attract attention to recognize the symptoms and improve care for those who suffer.

"Diagnosis is precisely one of the challenges of research because, although some symptoms are very obvious, for example in oral cancer, the diagnosis is late in most cases," he said. said Perdomo.

According to the characteristics of the tumor, the treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy or targeted therapy, adds Arango, also medical manager at Latam Merck.