DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_676_26 ISSN: 1998-4138

Epidemiological data of head and neck cancers from 2020 to 2025 in a tertiary cancer hospital—A retrospective study

Padma S. Bandaru, Vadada D. Sowjanya, Sriharsha Haranadh, Bellala Ravishankar, Bellala Venkata Madhavi
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ABSTRACT

Purpose:

To describe the epidemiological profile, risk factor distribution, anatomical subsite patterns, gender differences, and treatment modalities of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients registered at our hospital.

Materials and Methods:

This is a retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-based study of histopathologically confirmed HNC patients, registered between January 2020 and June 2025. Data on demographics, personal habits, primary tumor subsite, and treatment received were extracted from medical records. Associations between gender and other categorical variables were assessed using the Chi-square test (significance threshold: P < 0.05).

Results:

Males accounted for the majority of the cases (72.7%) with peak incidence in the 41–50 and 51-60-year age groups (26.9% each). Oral cavity cancer was the most common diagnosis ( n = 961, 66.88%), followed by hypopharyngeal ( n = 205, 14.27%) and laryngeal carcinoma ( n = 108, 7.52%). Any personal habit was reported by 68.4% of males and 46.8% of females; tobacco smoking and alcohol predominated among men, while reverse smoking and pan chewing were the leading habits among women. Hypopharyngeal carcinoma was disproportionately frequent in females (29.01% vs. 8.72% in males).

Conclusions:

This study documents a substantial male-predominant burden of HNC strongly associated with modifiable lifestyle risk factors. The distinctive pattern of hypopharyngeal carcinoma in females and pronounced geographical clustering highlight the need for region- and gender-specific early detection and prevention programs.

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