Radiotherapy For Head And Neck Cancer : Emerging Treatment Modality

It is now a well established fact that cancer is one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity. Although in the last few years remarkable progress has taken place in the understanding of the biologic and biochemical nature of the cancer. Diagnosis and management of malignancies has always challenged the medical field, as the cruel disease almost often devours its victim. Such is the perilous nature of this dreadful malady. Head and neck malignancies constitute 5% of all the cancers worldwide. In India, the most common head and neck malignancy are those of oral cavity and pharynx. Oral carcinoma is one of the most prevalent cancers and is one of the most common causes of death. One of the emerging treatment modality for such cancer's is Radiotherapy as it causes in vivo destruction of the tumor. It has found a definite role for itself in the management of several forms of cancer, for almost all stages of the disease and can be combined with all modalities of treatment.