Focusing on Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) cancer on Health Today скачать в хорошем качестве

Focusing on Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) cancer on Health Today

Dr. Teddy Totimeh, Kafui Searyoh and Seyram A. Doe Tetteh join the Asaase Breakfast Show to educate us on the science of cancers, with today's focus being Ear, Nose and Throat Cancers! Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) cancers, medically referred to as head and neck cancers, encompass malignancies arising in the oral cavity, larynx, pharynx, sinuses, and salivary glands. In Ghana, these cancers represent a significant health concern, with various studies highlighting their prevalence, demographic patterns, and the challenges faced in their management. A retrospective study conducted at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi over six years identified that oral cavity cancer was the most prevalent head and neck cancer, accounting for 29.4% of cases. This was followed by cancers of the accessory sinuses (13.9%) and the larynx (13.5%). Notably, nasopharyngeal carcinoma was most common in the second decade of life, while other cancers like those of the accessory sinuses, larynx, and oral cavity were more frequent in individuals in their fifth to seventh decades. The majority of cases (73.8%) originated from the middle belt of Ghana, particularly the Ashanti region (63.9%) and Brong Ahafo (10.1%). Alarmingly, nearly half of the patients (47.6%) presented with stage IV disease, indicating late-stage diagnosis. Further emphasizing the issue of late presentation, a study at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra reported that a significant proportion of laryngeal cancer patients (37.3%) presented with locally advanced disease. The age range of patients was 17 to 85 years, with a mean age of 55.5 years, and the majority (90.4%) were above 40 years. Dysphonia, or voice changes, was the most common symptom at presentation.