Dr CHOW Chun Kuen

Head and neck cancer is a collective term for cancers that occur in various upper respiratory tract tissues. Depending on the site of occurrence, it can be divided into oral cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, and laryngeal cancer. The most common tumour type in head and neck cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which originates from squamous cells on the mucosal surface of the head and neck. According to medical research, some head and neck cancers are associated with HPV (human papillomavirus).

Nasopharyngeal cancer is one of the top ten cancers in Hong Kong that cannot be ignored. There are 600 to 800 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer in the city every year. Unlike many other cancers, nasopharyngeal cancer tends to occur at a relatively early age, with the peak incidence between 40 and 60 years old, considered the prime of one's life. The incidence rate is almost three times higher in males than in females. Compared to Western countries, nasopharyngeal cancer is more commonly found in Southern China.

Otitis media is a common ear disease that presents with symptoms such as ear pain, fever, and hearing loss. It requires attention to treatment and prevention.

Rhinitis is a common allergic disease that manifests itself as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, etc. Care should be taken to avoid allergens and treat the symptoms.

The throat means the muscular tube behind the nose and neck. Throat cancer (or pharyngeal cancer) broadly refers to the growth of flat cells in this area.

In 2020, there were a total of 978 new cases of thyroid cancer, accounting for 2.9% of all new cancer cases in Hong Kong and ranking tenth among common cancers. The incidence rate per 100,000 population is approximately 13 cases. Thyroid cancer patients are typically middle-aged to elderly, with papillary thyroid cancer occurring in younger people and rare in children. Additionally, the risk of thyroid cancer is higher in females, with a rate approximately 3.8 times that of males.

Tonsillitis is a common throat disease, manifested by sore throat, fever, cough, etc. It requires treatment and prevention.

Otitis Externa, or "Swimmer's Ear," is a redness or swelling (inflammation), irritation, or infection of your outer ear canal. This condition is typically caused by bacterial infection, especially after water remains in the ear canal, such as after swimming without thoroughly drying the ears. Fungi, allergic reactions, or prolonged skin conditions can also cause Otitis Externa.

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) is inflammation of the throat and vocal cords caused by the backflow of stomach acid or other stomach contents into the throat. Patients may experience throat irritation, difficulty swallowing, increased phlegm production, coughing, vocal fatigue, and hoarseness.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses radiofrequency thermal energy to remove or reduce tissue to improve or restore respiratory function and alleviate obstruction and other related symptoms. It is commonly used to treat Thyroid Nodules, Chronic Sinusitis, Sleep Apnoea, Nasal Congestion, and specific vocal cord lesions.

Tonsil cancer is a type of head and neck cancer which encompasses a wide variety of cancers that occur in the head and neck region, including areas such as the throat, salivary glands, tongue, nasopharynx, oral cavity, and tonsils. According to data from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry of the Hospital Authority, there are as many as 1,600 new cases of head and neck cancer each year.