DISTRIBUTION AND DETERMINANTS OF ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: A RETROSPETIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY AT ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL DEPARTMENT OF AYUB TEACHING HOSPITAL ABBOTTABAD

Abstract

Oral cancer has emerged as one of the most rapidly growing cancer types in south East Asia in recent years. In a developing country like Pakistan, oral cancer is associated with significant financial burden on healthcare system. It is a potentially fatal disease and may be associated with high morbidity even after cure. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSSC) in relation to age, gender, predisposing factor, histopathological grading and site of involvement and relationship of these factors with each other. A retrospective study was carried out in department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from March 2018 to March 2020. A total of 102 patients with biopsy proven OSCC were included in the study. Data regarding patient’s age, gender, site of involvement, habit, histopathological grading and patients address were collected on a structured proforma. Among 102 patients, 52 were females (51 %) and 50 were males (49 %). Mean age of patients was 57.22±13.87. Snuff dipping was found as the most common predisposing habit which was especially common among female patients (84.61 %). Equal number of patients presented with well differentiated and moderately differentiated histopathologic grading of squamous cell carcinoma (44 % each). Buccal mucosa was the most commonly involved site (35.3 %) followed by mandibular alveolus.