Head and Neck Cancer in a Referral Center in Asir Region

Abstract

This study looks at the incidence of head and neck cancer in the Southwest Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Asir Region). There were a total of 204 newly diagnosed patients seen at Asir Central Hospital between 1987 and 1992; 113 males and 91 females. All were Saudi patients. Frequency at various sites with reference to sex and age was determined and comparison with local and international published reports was made. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper in the Kingdom to look at head and neck cancer as a distinct entity. In this study, skin cancer was the most common among males followed by oral and pharyngeal cancers. Among females, thyroid cancer was the most common followed by skin and oral cancers. Some preventive measures are discussed. Ann Saudi Med 1994;14(5):383-386. Two studies reviewed from different parts of the Kingdom that looked at the whole body cancers estimated the incidence of head and neck cancers to be 18.4% and 12.2%. 2,3 In another study from the Eastern Province, the number was 4.5% excluding skin and thyroid cancers. 4 The authors of the first two papers stated that the head and neck cancers are more common in this country compared to western countries. This assertion is borne out in our study. This is a hospital-based study of the pattern of head and neck cancers presenting to a 576 bed tertiary care facility. This represents 21.4% of total hospital beds available in the region (2687). Material and MethodsThis is a retrospective study based on data collected from the charts of 204 patients of all age groups, diagnosed and in most instances treated at Asir Central Hospital over a period of six years (January 1987 to December 1992). This represents 0.79% of the total admissions (52,768) during the study period. Carcinomas in situ were excluded. Non-Saudi patients were also excluded. Metastasis from sites other than the head and neck region were not included. Only patients with confirmed histological diagnosis were included in this study. The data obtained was compared with data previously reported from other institutions regarding relative frequency, the rank orders, and histological types. ResultsTwo hundred and four patients form the basis of this study; 55.3% were males. Only Saudi patients were included in this study. Their ages ranged from three to 91 years with an average age of 57 for males and 52 for females. Cancers of the skin, thyroid, oral cavity, pharynx and lymphoreticular system were the most commonly encountered. Figure 1 shows a map of Saudi Arabia showing the location of Asir Region. Figure 2 shows the ages and sex distribution of head and neck cancers. The total population of the Asir Region is approximately 1,500,000 according to the last census done six months ago and the number of all cases of cancer in Asir at the time of this study were 1322. Fifteen and four-tenths percent were head and neck cancers reducing to 9.6% when thyroid and skin cancers are excluded. The incidence per 100,000/year is approximately 16.6 for all body cancers and 2.72 ...

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