Malignant tumors of the upper respiratory tract and chest

Cancer of the upper respiratory tract and chest is a common oncological disease characterized by a prolonged course and the development of malignant tumors. The upper respiratory tract includes the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx and partially the oral cavity, as it may also be involved in breathing. According to statistics, men aged 40 to 70 are 9 times more likely to suffer from cancer than women. This is associated with excessive smoking and occupational exposure to harmful working conditions.

Causes of upper respiratory tract cancer

Upper respiratory tract oncology arises due to the following causes:

• smoking;
• frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• prolonged inhalation of fumes from alkalis, oils, acids and gasoline;
• benign neoplasms (cysts, papillomas);
• long‑standing chronic inflammations;
• previous oncological disease of the head and neck;
• gastroesophageal reflux;
• human papillomavirus;
• radiation and radiotherapy;
• infectious diseases (syphilis, tuberculosis, etc.).

If you do not smoke but are constantly near a smoker, the risk of developing cancer increases 10‑fold.

Some people have a hereditary predisposition to oncology. This factor is observed in 5–10 % of cases. Genetic predisposition may be suspected if: