Improved survival among oral cancer patients: findings from a retrospective study at a tertiary care cancer centre in rural Kerala, India

Abstract

BackgroundOral cancer is very common in India. The reported 5-year survival of such patients is around 50% after treatment with surgery and radiotherapy, much lower than most of the developed countries.MethodsA retrospective study of a prospective database of oral cancer patients undergoing surgery from June 2009 to June 2013 was conducted. Follow-up details were updated from case records and by phone calls. Data were double entered in EpiData Entry version 3.1 and were analysed using EpiData Analysis software 2.1.0.73.ResultsTwo-hundred and twenty patients were analysed (136 males); 85% were consuming tobacco, mainly in chewable form. The majority (51.1%) had tongue cancer, of whom 75 patients (34.1%) had T4 tumours. Postoperative radiotherapy was given to 108 patients (49.1%). Forty had recurrence, of which 23 were in early stage. Of these, 19 showed node positivity (p < 0.01). Node-negative patients had 79% 5-year survival while node positive had 59% which is comparable to that reported in developed countries. Median disease-free survival duration was 48.2 months.ConclusionsNode positivity is the single factor affecting recurrence and survival. The overall survival and disease-free survival is better in patients without lymph node involvement and in patients with early stage of cancer as compared to the patients with node involvement and in advanced stages.

Global and regional burdens of oral cancer from 1990 to 2017: Results from the global burden of disease study

“…These results are consistent with those of recent studies that have analyzed other cancer databases [17,18]. Moreover, the cure rate of oral cancer was significantly higher in high-SDI countries than in other countries [19,20]. The present study demonstrated that, with the same ASRI, the ASRM and age-standardized DALYs of oral cancer patients in developed countries or regions were generally lower than those in developing countries.…”

Long Non-Coding RNAs as Functional Codes for Oral Cancer: Translational Potential, Progress and Promises

“…Currently, surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the standard primary treatments for oral cancer. Despite the advent of multidisciplinary approaches, the prognosis of advanced stage oral cancer patients is still poor, and the overall survival rate within five years remains at around 30–50% [ 9 ], mainly due to the high tendency for local recurrence, treatment resistance, and thereafter regional lymph node metastasis. At present, visual screening combined with tissue biopsy is the most common screening approach for oral cancer, but this may provide insufficient information, which results in under-diagnosis and improper care [ 10 ].…”

The role of Candida albicans candidalysin ECE1 gene in oral carcinogenesis

“…7 It has been reported that the overall 5-year survival rate is only 50% with possibilities of recurrence. 8,9 The global prevalence of OSCC is highlighted in Malaysia, with a 1.5% increase in oral cancer incidence and mortality rates of 1.2% as reported by GLOBOCAN in 2018. 4 The risk factors that are associated with OSCC include tobacco smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, unhealthy diet and microbial infection.…”

“…Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been classified as the most common type of oral cancer, accounting for greater than 90% of malignancies originating from the oral cavity 7 . It has been reported that the overall 5‐year survival rate is only 50% with possibilities of recurrence 8,9 . The global prevalence of OSCC is highlighted in Malaysia, with a 1.5% increase in oral cancer incidence and mortality rates of 1.2% as reported by GLOBOCAN in 2018 4 .…”