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Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) Market: Key Treatments and Outlook to 2027
Published Date: 26 Jul 2022

Have you ever noticed advertisements on televisions, at movies, or on the street citing the ill effects of smoking & alcohol consumption? It has become a known fact that such habits can lead to cancer. With the growing prevalence of such health conditions, the patient pool & number of deaths are escalating dramatically across different corners of the world, making cancer a prominent cause. 

Among all the different types of cancer, Head and Neck cancers have shown a significant rise in patient influx over the years, & the primary cause has been the rising number of smokers & alcohol consumption, i.e., instigating governments of different countries worldwide to spread awareness about the ill-effects of the same and layout favorable policies & investments toward R&D associated with the effective diagnosis & treatment of such diseases.

Head and Neck cancer emerges in the mucosal epithelium of the oral cavity, pharynx & larynx and is collectively known as Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). While its diagnosis & treatment are available, various biopharma companies are actively working on bringing innovations to existing drugs and introducing advanced therapeutics. These efforts cite a significantly expanding Global Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) Market, i.e., projected to register around 9.5% CAGR during 2022-27.

HNSCCs are found mainly on the skin's outermost surface or over certain tissues across the head & neck. These areas include the throat, mouth, sinuses, & nose. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) accounts for nearly 90% of all head & neck cancers worldwide. Owing to the various forms of HNSCC, different treatments may be used for curing the illness, and the most suitable treatment depends on the following parameters:

  • Tumor Location
  • Stage of cancer
  • Age of the patient
  • Overall general health

Key Treatments for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)

Developments in medical science have taken a swift pace over the years and have shown progress in treating cancers too, including the HNSCC. Besides, as people are becoming more aware of the availability of different treatments and their efficacy, the following are the therapies that are widely practiced in the growing patient pool worldwide:

  • Surgery
  • Radiation Therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted Therapy

These therapies can be performed, either alone or in combination with other therapies, depending upon the patient's condition & their health requirements, to show higher chances of positive outcomes & safety among patients. Let us take a closer look at a few of these therapies that are extensively used for the treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the blog below:

  • Surgery

In case cancer has been detected at an early stage, the doctor is more likely to practice surgery and take out the tumor along with some healthy tissues around it to eliminate the further spread. In surgery, the doctor might as well remove some glands called the lymph nodes from the back. However, there are possibilities of side effects in every treatment for HNSCC. In surgery, the possible side effects may include the following:

  • Loss of voice
  • Difficult hearing
  • Trouble while chewing or swallowing
  • Swelling of the mouth or throat

Additionally, surgery might play a role in changing the face shape or increasing the difficulty in eating. this is a situation where the patient might need to undergo another session of surgery. 

  • Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is mostly done after surgery has been performed for the removal of the tumor. This therapy is done to kill any cells that might have missed the doctor's eyes or are too small to be recognized and may cause recurrence of cancer in the future. However, the side effects of this therapy include the following:

  • Changes in voice
  • Irritated skin
  • Loss of appetite
  • Pain or difficulty in swallowing
  • Sick stomach
  • Sore throat
  • Sores in mouth
  • Thick spit or extremely dry mouth
  • Tiredness

These are a few of the possible side effects. However, if the issues escalate, the patient must get assistance from the doctor. 

  • Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is known for reducing the growth & spread of the cancer cells with the help of medications like Docetaxel, Cisplatin, & Bleomycin, among others. In this therapy, the possible side effects include the following:

  • Tiredness
  • Sick stomach
  • Hair Loss
  • Infections
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Targeted Therapy

These therapies are swiftly gaining popularity and demonstrating a rise in adoption among patients with HNSCC across different corners of the world. Since targeted therapies use drugs that attack only the cancer cells without killing healthy ones, their demand is elevating swiftly and augmenting various biopharmaceutical companies to develop & produce these drugs and cater to the needs of the rising patient influx globally. 

Forthcoming Directions for the HNSCC Market

The blog, so far, has given an idea about Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) along with the various treatments available for the same. Hence, as a result of rapid developments in surgical procedures, along with immunotherapy & targeted therapy, profitable prospects are very likely for the Global Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) Market in the years ahead.

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