Occurrence of Oral, Oropharyngeal and Laryngeal Cancers in Saurashtra Region, Gujarat, India A study of 1,006 cases of Oral Lesions
Dr. Konika Kherajani, Dr. Krina Shah and Dr. Vijay C Popat
Background: Cancer of the oral region is a major health problem in India and across the world. It is a lifestyle related cancer mainly associated with use of tobacco, alcohol, betel nut, poor oral hygiene etc. Early screening and diagnosis of premalignant and malignant lesions is important to improve patient outcome. Histopathological examination of the biopsies remains the gold standard for diagnosis.
Materials and Methods
This was a retrospective study carried out over a period of three years i.e., 2019 to 2021 in the Department of Pathology at Shree M.P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, Gujarat. A total of 1006 cases of oral biopsies were studied for the parameters such as age, sex, site involved, presence of risk factors (e.g., use of tobacco), type of lesion and immunohistochemistry marker positivity.
Aims and Objectives
1.To study the year-wise distribution oral, oropharyngeal and laryngeal premalignant and malignant lesions in Saurashtra Region of Gujarat, India.
2.To analyze cases of oral malignancies in this region with regard to gender, age, site involved, type of lesion, history of tobacco exposure etc.
Results: Out of 1006 cases studied, 832 (82.7%) were malignant and remaining 174 (17.29%) were found pre-malignant on histopathological examination. The Male: Female ratio was found to be 5.1:1. The largest number of patients were seen in the age group of 41 - 60 years. The most common site involved in our study was buccal mucosa. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common lesion among the malignant lesions.
Conclusion: Cancers of oral cavity, pharynx and larynx are highly prevalent in males of this region and are associated with lifestyle related factors such as tobacco use, alcohol intake etc. Histopathological examination and typing of the lesion is important for confirmation of malignancy.
