The evaluation of head and neck neoplasm in young and old adults

Background: Head and neck neoplasm (HNN) is one of the most common neoplasms in 6th and 7th of life. Its incidence rate is different in various human societies. Some neoplasms have an increasing trend in the young population, and some have a decreasing trend. According to the limited evidence in Iran, we decided to investigate the types and basic characteristics of HNN in young patients with less than 40 years and old patients more than 40 years of age. Methods: In this cross sectional study, we assessed the medical records of 695 patients in the department of Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) of Loghman Hakim Hospital during 2007- 2017 to compare the fundamental characteristics and types of HNN in young and old adults. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used and interpreted with a significant level of less than 0.05. Results: The average age of our patients was 51.80±17.39 years old. The majority of the patients were more than 40 years old (n=514, 73.95%) and the rest were younger (n=181, 26.05%). Significantly, the percentage of male patients, diabetic patients, positive history of smoking were more predominant in old adults as compared to young adults (72.76% vs. 49.18%, 10.31% vs. 2.20%, 66.99% vs. 25.44%; all P<0.001). However the neoplasms of salivary glands, thyroid, and paranasal sinus had a significantly higher frequency in young adults (41.98%(n=76); P<0.001, 21.55%(n=39);P<0.001, 6.10%(n=11); P=0.033 respectively). There was a high percentage of larynx neoplasm in old adults as compared to young adults (42.22 %(n=217) vs. 4.41%(n=8); P=0.001). Conclusion: Larynx neoplasm was common among old smokers. The percentage of salivary glands and thyroid neoplasms were higher than other HNN in young adults (≤40 years old), especially female patients and non-smokers. Therefore, HNN is not rare in young people and the physicians must consider it while cancer screening young adults.