Prevalence, Pattern and Risk Factors of Oral Cancer -A single institute-based study from Nepal

Cancer of lip and oral cavity is the most common type of cancer in male population in South East Asia. Although it is a multifactorial disease, tobacco and alcohol use are the most common risk factors involved. Oral cancer has a direct relationship with deleterious habits. Inadequate knowledge about the disease and lack of awareness about its risk factors play vital role in increasing incidence of oral cancer. Objective To determine the prevalence and pattern of oral cancer as well as to find out the risk factors associated with development of oral cancer. Method The hospital records of the patients with histo-pathologically confirmed oral cancer between November 2011 to December 2021 were studied. Data regarding age, sex, associated risk factors and pattern of oral cancer were recorded. Descriptive statistics were obtained and recorded in tabulated form. Result Total of 312 (53.6%) cases out of 582 biopsies turned out to be histo-pathologically confirmed oral cancer. Out of 312 cases of oral cancer, 294 (94.27%) were squamous cell carcinoma. Total number of males were 196 (66.7%) and females were 116 (37.1%). The mean age was 56.2±13.4 years. Smoking (34.7%) was the most common risk factor and gingiva (42.6%) was the most common site of involvement. Conclusion Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of oral cancer and gingiva is the most common site of involvement. Tobacco smoking is the major risk factor for developing oral cancer.