Head and Neck Cancer Research

Clinico-Pathological Features and Outcome of Treatment of Saudi Patients with Oral Cavity Cancer

Background: This study presents the epidemiological data and clinico-pathological features of oral cancer in patients treated in Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Oncology Department over the last 7 years. 
Methods: We reviewed all available data in our electronic and paper files for patients who had a confirmed pathology diagnosis of oral cavity malignancies between the years 2009-2015.
Results: We had a total of 87 patients with pathological confirmed oral cancer. The majority of patients were males (Male:Female=1.63:1). Median age at diagnosis was 62 years (24-95). History related to risk factors was completed in only 59 patients (68%). Forty-five patients (76%) have a positive history for tobacco usage either smoking and/or chewing (shamma). The use of shamma, (a mixture of powdered tobacco, lime, ash, black pepper, oils and flavorings), was confirmed in 31/59 patients (either alone or associated with smoking). Oral Tongue as a primary site represents about half of the patients 44(50.6%), followed by alveolar ridge (16.1%) and floor of mouth (11.5%), buccal mucosa (10.3%) and other sites (11.5%). Two thirds of patients (66.6%) presented with advanced stages (III and IV). The estimated 5-year overall survival rates were 77.1% for the early stage disease group and 45.9% for the advanced stage disease group (P=0.028). The 5-year progression-free survival rates were 65.6% for the early stage disease group compared with 28.1% for the advanced stage disease group (P=0.02).
Conclusions: Most of our cases have a positive history of tobacco usage. This together with the high percentage of advanced diseases that carried a significantly poor outcome warrant the need for effective anti-tobacco campaigns, public awareness and primary care physicians education for early detection of disease.

Author(s):

Farrag A, Shaukat A, Ali M and Kandil M

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