Conference Abstracts - The 8th International Cancer Congress
Vol. 6, Issue Supplement 2, 2026 · S1-2
Clinicopathological Patterns of Head and Neck Cancers in Eastern Nepal: A Six-Year Retrospective Study
Shravya Karki, MBBS,Shivam Pandey, MBBS,Anish Bhusal, BDS Student,Gireesh Poudel, MBBS Student,Mahendra Pandeya, MBBS Student,Krish Rauniyar, MBBS Student,Soumya Subedi, MBBS Student,Sasibhusan Kushwaha, MBBS,Girban Pandey, MBBS,Sahil Niraula, MBBS,Smriti Karki, MBBS, MD,Sangita Bhandary, MBBS, MD
Submission received: 2026-08-07 / Accepted: 2026-08-30 / Published: 2026-09-24
Abstract
Background
Head and neck cancers account for a substantial share of the cancer burden in South Asia, yet region-specific data from Nepal remain limited, particularly across the full spectrum of benign and malignant disease. This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinicopathological patterns of head and neck tumours at a tertiary centre in eastern Nepal over 6 years.
Methods
In this retrospective, descriptive study, all biopsy-confirmed head and neck tumours recorded at a tertiary centre in eastern Nepal (January 2019-December 2024) were reviewed using census sampling, following institutional ethical approval. Demographic variables, anatomical site, presenting symptoms, and histopathological diagnoses were analysed in Stata/BE 19.5 using chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and logistic regression tests, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results
Of 951 patients studied, the mean age was 48.6 ± 19.1 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.13:1. Janajati groups were most common (495; 52.0%), followed by Khas Arya (248; 26.1%) and Madhesi (140; 14.7%). The oral cavity was the commonest site (303; 31.9%), and squamous cell carcinoma the commonest diagnosis (359; 37.8%). Among tumours with documented behaviour, 421 (58.8%) were malignant. Age and sex were significantly associated with tumour diagnosis (Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests, both p<0.001), with male preponderance in squamous cell carcinoma and female preponderance in thyroid tumours. On logistic regression, sex was the only independent predictor of thyroid cancer (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.23-0.49, p<0.001).
Conclusion
Head and neck cancers in eastern Nepal show distinct age- and sex-based clinicopathological patterns, with a high burden of oral cavity malignancy and a substantial contribution from benign disease. Including both benign and malignant tumours reflects real-world otorhinolaryngology practice and may guide early detection, diagnostic planning, and public health interventions such as tobacco control and improved access to diagnostic services.