Unveiling the Challenge: Head and Neck Cancers in Teenage  and Young Adult Population – A Tertiary Cancer Centre  Experience

Ramanaiah Kaluvoya; Gautam Vydia Vedagiri; Sadanand S; Mukesh B; Alexander John; Venkataraman Radhakrishnan; Arvind Krishnamoorthy

doi:10.31557/apjcb.2026.11.1.3-7

Authors

Ramanaiah Kaluvoya Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute (Wia), Adyar, Chennai, India.
Gautam Vydia Vedagiri Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute (Wia), Adyar, Chennai, India.
Sadanand S Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute (Wia), Adyar, Chennai, India.
Mukesh B Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute (Wia), Adyar, Chennai, India.
Alexander John Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute (Wia), Adyar, Chennai, India.
Venkataraman Radhakrishnan Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute (Wia), Adyar, Chennai, India.
Arvind Krishnamoorthy Department of Surgical Oncology, Cancer Institute (Wia), Adyar, Chennai, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcb.2026.11.1.3-7

Keywords:

Head and neck carcinoma, Teenage and young adult, concurrent chemoradiation

Abstract

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) population (15-29 years) is under-reported in literature, especially in low-resource settings like India. This study aims to analyse the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of HNSCC in this age group.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 46 TYA patients diagnosed with HNSCC at our institution between January 2011 and December 2013. Patients were evaluated based on clinical history, imaging, and biopsy, and treated as per multidisciplinary tumor board recommendations. Treatment modalities included surgery, chemo radiation, and palliative care. Survival outcomes were analysed using Kaplan-Meier curves.

Results: Among the 46 patients, the majority were male (65%), with the most common primary sites being the oral cavity (39%) and hypopharynx (28%). Locally advanced disease (Stage III and IV) was predominant in 82% of cases. Tobacco use, especially in smokeless forms, was a significant risk factor, present in 39% of patients. Overall survival (OS) at 3 and 5 years was 50% and 48%, respectively, with oral cavity and hypopharyngeal cancers showing poorer outcomes. The most common toxicities were neutropenia and skin reactions, which were consistent with published data.

Conclusions: HNSCC in the TYA age group is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage and is associated with poor outcomes. Tobacco consumption remains a major risk factor. Early detection through screening and public health campaigns to reduce tobacco use are critical to improving prognosis in this population.