Prognostic factors in carcinoma of the oral cavity in Eastern India: a clinico pathological study

Abstract

Oral and  oro pharyngeal  malignancy is the most common malignant  tumour in Asia with higher incidence in males. It mostly affects persons above 60 years of age. Majority of the oral cancers are squamous cell carcinoma which accounts for 85% of patients. The probable explanation of squamous cell carcinoma is an agent such as tobacco and its constituents that causes irreversible damage in the DNA(Deoxyribonucleic Acid)of the affected cells. Surgery and radiotherapy are the modes of treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of clinico pathological factors on the overall survival rate and disease free survival rate in oral cavity carcinoma. History, clinical examination with indirect laryngoscopy and upper GI Endoscopy was done for diagnosing the tumours  initially. After ethical clearance, diagnosed persons of oral cavity carcinoma were selected for the study by applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria and after taking consent from them.   Prospective analysis was done for 38 and 42 diagnosed patients, but 11 patients were lost to follow up, so the study was conducted with 69 patients. Diagnosis was done by history, physical examination, indirect laryngoscopy and Upper GI Endoscopy. The clinical factors assessed were gender, presenting age,  tumour  site, consumption of tobacco in different forms, alcohol consumption and habit of chewing betel quid, premalignant lesions, metachromous and synchronous tumours and staging. Pathological factors were histology and grade of tumour .  The study showed that most of the clinico pathologic factors had prognostic impact on overall survival in diagnosed oral cavity cancer cases.  Gender, anatomical location, size of the tumour, nodal status, betel quid chewing,  tobacco consumption and  grade of the tumour had an effect on the prognosis of these patients.