Publication:

Etiopathological study of oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma

Background Oral cancer is thought to be the sixth most common form of cancer causing upto 50% of all malignancies in parts of India and South-East Asia, and an increasing trend in oral cancer mortality have been observed in several countries. The aim of the study was to evaluate the etiological factors contributing to oral and oropharyngeal carcinomas and its association with histopathological findings.

Methods This one year duration study was carried out on 100 patients diagnosed as oral and oropharyngeal cancer attending the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Gajra Raja Medical College and J.A. Group of Hospitals, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Results 98% of the patients were histologically squamous cell carcinomas, with well differentiated carcinoma being the most common i.e. 59%. The etiological factors which were found to have statistically significant association in oral cancers were poor oral hygiene, tobacco chewing and pan chewing. Other factors like cigarette/bidi smoking, alcoholism were also common.

Conclusions Any irritation or ulceration in the mouth not attributed to a recognizable causal factor and not healing within four weeks, especially in presence of risk factors must be investigated for its malignant potential. There is a need for improvement in early detection of oral and oropharyngeal carcinomas, because in the initial stages, treatment is more effective and the morbidity is minimal. Keywords: