Revista Cubana de Estomatología (Jun 2016)
Behavior of oral cancer at a hospital in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Abstract
Introduction: despite the fact that the global incidence of oral cancer has increased, no epidemiological records are found in our town which would allow to update nationwide information and thus consolidate more accurate data about the behavior of this condition in our area. Objective: determine the characteristics of the behavior of oral cancer at a hospital in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Methods: a retrospective study was conducted of samples from patients with a presumptive diagnosis of oral cancer sent to the pathology laboratory of a hospital in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, from 2007 to 2011. The total number of anatomopathological studies reviewed was 215, and 73 samples (33.9 %) were selected from patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of oral cancer, as well as other samples from areas adjacent to the oral cavity, such as lymph glands, pharynx, larynx and maxillas. The variables studied were age, sex, origin, habits, year of diagnosis and histopathologic diagnosis. Results: 53 % of the cases (n= 39) were women. The age range with the highest number of diagnoses was the 60-67 group (23 %). Mean age was 66 years (± 14). The most common diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma (86.3 % of the cases). 93.2 % of the patients were smokers. Conclusions: the most common diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma. No significant differences were found between the sexes. The age bracket with the highest number of diagnoses was the sixth decade of life. Smoking was the habit most frequently related to oral cancer. 30.1 % of the diagnoses were made in the year 2010, followed by 27.4 % in 2011.
