Analysis of clinicopathological features, localization and predictive risk factors in patients of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma presenting in a tertiary care hospital

Predictive Risk factors

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is among the most frequent oral malignancies, accounting for up to 80-90% of all the malignant carcinomas of the oral cavity. Recognizing the factors associated with the diagnosis of oral malignancies may reveal high-risk groups which will help to develop early detection approaches. Objective: To analysis of clinicopathological features, localization and predictive risk factors in patients of oral squamous cell carcinoma presenting in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: The study was carried out under the signed consent of eighty patients diagnosed with OSCC at a local hospital. Variables considered: age, gender, smoking history, clinical presentation, tumor site, histological diagnosis, degree of differentiation, diagnostic delay, and TNM stage. Results: A total of 80 patients (78.8% males, 21.3% females) entered the study. 62.6% of patients belong to lower socioeconomic status and, 92.4% of the patients had no family history of squamous cell carcinoma. Other than smoking chewing habits (Paan, Gutka, Chalia, etc) in non-smokers are independent risk factors of OSCC and these habits may aggravate OSCC in smokers. The most frequent clinical lesions were ulcers (57.5%). The highest percentage of patients (23.8%) had a tumor on the lateral border of the tongue. On TNM staging, 12.5% of the patients were on stage IVA(T4AN0M0). Conclusion: Males are more at risk of OSCC that could be related to their habits like smoking, tobacco, and chewing, as these habits are common in the Asian population. It is noteworthy that a significant number of patients (32.5%) who are non-smokers and had only chewing habits (paan, gutka, chalia, tobacco, niswar) progress to OSCC. 

Key Words: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Smoking, Paan, Gutka, Chalia.