Over 800 esteemed doctors and medical experts worldwide have gathered in Delhi for RGCON 2024, the flagship annual event of the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC), aimed at deliberating the best practices for treating head and neck cancer. 

The three-day international conference that concluded on March 17, 2024, saw healthcare experts come together to chart a future roadmap under the theme 'Head and Neck Cancer: Bridging the Gap from Cure to Survivorship'.

It is worth mentioning here that India bears the highest burden of head and neck cancer, accounting for about 30–35% of global cases. 

The disease constitutes approximately 17% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases in the country. 

With an expected 2.1 million new cancer cases in India by 2040, a 57.5% increase from 2020, according to GLOBOCAN 2020, the need for such conferences is paramount.

The 22nd annual conference witnessed the presence of notable figures like Prof. Alok Thakar, Director of the National Cancer Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology at AIIMS, Delhi, as Chief Guest, alongside Dr. J.L. Meena, a member of the National Medical Council’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board, as Guest of Honour, among others.

Dr Mudit Agarwal, Unit Head & Senior Consultant, Head & Neck Oncology, outlined the conference agenda, stating, "This year's conference embodies a convergence of expertise from the four pillars of head and neck cancer treatment: surgery, radiation, medical oncology, and pathology."

Dr Munish Gairola, Director of Radiation Oncology at RGCIRC, emphasised the need for lifestyle changes to combat the high burden of head and neck cancers in India, primarily caused by smoking and tobacco chewing.

Dr Sunil Pasricha and Dr Vikas Arora, both from RGCIRC, shared their insights on effective prevention and treatment strategies for head and neck cancer as part of the organising committee of RGCON 2024.

The conference prioritised discussions on rehabilitating head and neck cancer patients, addressing challenges like cosmetic concerns and swallowing difficulties. Dr Sumit Goyal stressed the importance of rehabilitation alongside primary therapy.

Dr Rajat Saha highlighted the urgent need for early detection and awareness campaigns to improve survival rates among head and neck cancer patients, particularly those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.

Key sessions of the conference covered advanced treatment modalities like proton therapy and brachytherapy, as well as the integration of AI in cancer care. Workshops and case studies were discussed, providing a platform for multidisciplinary collaboration and patient-centric care.

RGCON 2024 aims to foster a holistic approach to tackling the complexities of head and neck cancers, reaffirming the commitment to shared knowledge and comprehensive patient care.