Analysis of 587 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma in northern Thailand with a focus on young people

• Main Authors: Iamaroon A., Pattanaporn K., Pongsiriwet S., Wanachantararak S., Prapayasatok S., Jittidecharaks S., Chitapanarux I., Lorvidhaya V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0345768542&partnerID=40&md5=4168b3c5463083955473e23514bef107; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14758820; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/1735
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

The increasing incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) especially among younger people has been observed in many parts of the world. The objective of this study was to delineate the profile of patients with oral SCC with an emphasis on younger people in northern Thailand between 1991-2000. The medical records of 587 (median age 65, male-to-female ratio 1.3:1) patients presenting oral SCC were reviewed, with details of demographic data, staging, histological grading, treatment modality and risk factor profile being collated in detail. Seventy-five patients (12.8%) were 45 years of age or below (median age, 39 years). Most patients regardless of age had stage IV disease (56.2%). The most common histological gradings were well or moderately differentiated SCC (79.4%). The most common site regardless was the tongue (42.8%). Most patients (79.0%) received treatment with either radiotherapy alone or a combination of surgery and radiotherapy. 64.4% of patients were smokers, 49.6%, drinkers, and 50.2%, betel quid chewers. Smoking and alcohol consumption were major risk factors in young people. Most patients (87.2%) did not have a familial history of cancer. Collectively this data indicates that oral SCC remains a constant problem to the northern Thai population. In addition, the occurrence of oral SCC in young people is relatively high. Therefore, it is recommended that prevention of oral SCC with early detection, early treatment intervention, and withdrawal from risk habits are important factors for improving the wellbeing of these people.