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Abstract
We analyzed and reported on those patients with head and neck (H&N) malignancies who had visited our university within the last 30 years. The number of H&N patients registered per year has gradually increased with time and 120 new patients have been registered annually in recent years. Age-adjusted morbidity has also increased gradually, from 7.06 to 10.55 per 100,000 citizens, in recent years. The population of Sagamihara city has gradually increased in parallel over the same period. Cancers of the pharynx, larynx and oral cavity are the three major H&N tumors. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most commonly seen pathological diagnosis, followed by malignant lymphoma. The 5-year crude survival rate for all patients was 50%. It is suggested that improving the survival rates of cancers of the oral cavity, nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses should be a prerequisite, in order to diminish H&N tumor deaths in Japan. A satisfactory survival rate for cancer of the paranasal sinuses has been achieved at Kitasato University and it is hoped that our modality will further prevail in the near future. Cancer of the oral cavity is visible and can be detected by a simple clinical examination. As H&N surgeons it is necessary to educate all physicians as to the importance of early detection of H&N tumors. We also need to encourage the public to reduce smoking and drinking in order to prevent a further increase in the number of H&N patients. Our assertions are based on the fact that the number of H&N patients in 2050 is estimated to be three times greater than that at present due to the increase in the population of elderly people (assuming the morbidity rate remains constant).