Epidemiological profile of oral cancers in Benin

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study was to study the epidemiological profile of malignant tumours of the oral cavity in Benin from January 2009 to 31 December 2014. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that examined cancers of the oral cavity collected in the registers of the 5 anatomy and pathology laboratories in Benin as well as the only hospital in the country that sends its requests for histological examinations abroad. Results: With a rate of 19.8%, oral cavity cancer was the most frequent cancer localization in the ENT, head and neck sphere in Benin. The most frequent sites of cancers in the oral cavity were the palate (32.2%) followed by the tongue (25.4%) and the inner face of the cheeks (16.9%). The average age of the patients was 53.18±20.60 years with extremes of 1 year and 90 years. The sex ratio was 0.90. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological type with 67.80%. Conclusions: Cancer of the oral cavity must be a priority for health authorities in Benin. Research must be initiated to determine the factors that contribute to it.