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

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 6th 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.