A Study of 89 Cases of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Presenting at Teaching Hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

ABSTRACT:OBJECTIVE: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent malignant neoplasm in south Asia and a major public health problem in Pakistan due to its high morbidity and poor survival rates. The objective of the study was to describe the clinical pattern of oral squamous cell carcinoma in tertiary care hospitals of Lahore. METHODOLOGY:A cross sectional study was done at tertiary care hospitals of Lahore where demographic and clinical data of eighty nine histologically diagnosed cases of OSCC was studied. RESULTS:Mean age of the patients was 53.13 ±14.82 years and male to female ratio was 1.4:1 with 58.4%males and 41.6% females. Tongue was the most frequently affected site 37.1%followed by buccal mucosa 30.3%. The most common presenting complaint was non healing ulcer 50.6%.Mean duration of lesions at presentation was 5 ± 3.68 months. 66.3% cases reported with history of smoking, chewing tobacco/snuff and betel quid. Smoking was the most prevalent etiological agent accounting for 22.5% cases and was found to be significantly higher in the male population (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS:Most cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in major hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan are reported in 5th to 6 th decade of life, with male preponderance. Ulceration is the most common clinical manifestation in OSCC patients with about two-third cases reporting within 6 months of onset of lesions. Tongue is the most commonly affected site and smoking tobacco and betel quid chewing are the main risk factors implicated in OSCC.

Clinicopathological profile of squamous cell carcinoma presenting in Tertiary Care Hospital, Karachi.

“…This increase in the incidence of OSCC of buccal mucosa preferably in our part of the world is due to habit of keeping betel nut and gutka in the buccal pouch for longer duration of time which significantly produce a sense of well-being and increased capacity to work by stimulation of parasympathetic nervous system 21 and increases the accumulation of carcinogenic substance into the involved area. 3,22 In contrary to this, international literature shows tongue as the most commonly involved site followed by floor of the mouth attributed to increase exposure of carcinogenic substances through smoking. 23,24 This finding is also consistent with the study conducted by Syamet al 25 Ebrahimiet al 26 have reported that T stage and N stage were important factors affecting regional recurrence in OSCC.…”

“…1,2 In Pakistan, Oral SCC is considered as the second most common cancer diagnosed in both male and female, constituting 15% of estimated new cases compared to 3% found worldwide. 3 In developing countries, the prevalence of intraoral cancer appears to be rising, especially in men due to habit of eating tobacco, betel quid and areca nut. 4 These ingredients along with other factors such as alcohol consumption, low socioeconomic status, poor hygiene, poor diet, and viral infections, chronic irritation from ill-fitting dentures, rough, or fractured teeth.…”

The frequency of occult cervical metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients - A cross sectional study

“…4 In Pakistan Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a major public health problem due to its poor survival rates and high morbidity. 5 The most common sites of the oral cavity involved by SCC are tongue and floor of the mouth. There is an increased incidence of occult cervical metastasis in lesions involving floor of the mouth and tongue, even in earlier stages of the disease.…”

Expression of Zinc Alpha-2 Glycoprotein in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Oral Dysplasia

“…Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the widest spread cancer of the oral cavity representing 90% of all the oral malignancies 1 . It is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and ranked the second highest in the Indian subcontinent including Pakistan 2 . Multiple factors contribute to the initiation and growth of OSCC in the oral epithelial cells such as smoked or smokeless tobacco, alcohol, infective agents, deficiency of nutrients, oral factors, and genetics 3,4 .…”