ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION On a worldwide scale head and neck malignancy represents the 5th most common cancer. However, it is not a single entity but encompasses a wide range of malignant tumors arising from many diverse and complex structures in this region of the body. The sites of origin are the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT), salivary, thyroid, and parathyroid glands and paranasal sinuses. The locally destructive effects of these tumors, or their treatment, can have a devastating effect on the lives of patients by affecting their outward appearance; the four senses of sight, smell, taste, and hearing; and the vital functions of breathing, swallowing, and talking. The complexity of the anatomical structures and functions affected present a difficult challenge to health services and require a wide variety of medical and allied specialities to ablate disease and restore function.
