Prognostic Risk Factors of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Case-Control Study at a Tertiary Hospital in...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Oral Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent oral cancer with poor prognosis, especially in advanced stages.
• While global risk factors include smoking and alcohol, shamma (Arabian snuff) is a key risk in Saudi Arabia.
• Understanding clinical and demographic factors is crucial for improving OSCC patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate clinical and demographic factors influencing outcomes in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) patients.
• To identify specific risk factors prevalent in the Saudi Arabian population, such as shamma use.
• To analyze survival rates and associated prognostic indicators for OSCC.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case-control study conducted from January 2010 to December 2022.
• Inclusion of 88 OSCC patients treated and followed at Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh.
• Statistical analyses included Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional-hazards regression.

Main Results:

• The most common OSCC site was the lateral tongue (62.5%).
• Shamma use (23.9%) and tobacco smoking (15.9%) were the primary identified risk factors.
• Older age (>40), advanced stage, and lymph node metastasis were linked to worse survival; negative margin correlated with improved survival.

Conclusions:

• OSCC presents as an aggressive malignancy with significant mortality.
• Advanced stage, lymph node metastasis, and older age are critical indicators of poor prognosis in OSCC.
• Early detection and management of risk factors, including shamma, are vital for improving OSCC patient survival.