Oral cancers among yemenis patient: A prospective hospital-based study

Abstract

Objective: The objective is to study oral cancer among Yemenis, determine the common types, common sites, and the pattern of the disease in relation to age and gender, and define the possible risk factors associated with its development. Materials and Methods: The present study is a prospective descriptive hospital-based study carried out at Al-Gomhori Teaching Hospital in Sana'a in the period 2009–2012. Data were collected from history (using a questionnaire form), clinical examination of patients, and from the histopathology results of the biopsies. Results: During the study period, 319 cases of oral cancers were seen. The majority of patients (92%) were over the age of 40 years, and the peak incidence is the seventh decade of life. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common type of oral cancers accounting for 90.3%, followed by salivary gland tumors. The gingiva was the most frequent site accounting for 27.9%, followed by the tongue accounting 27.3%. Shammah (traditional name of smokeless tobacco in Yemen and Saudi Arabia) was the main risk factor and associated with development 65.2% of oral cancers. Conclusion: Oral cancer in Yemen as in all countries still remains the disease of the elderly and deprived patient. The majority of patient were over the age of 40 years. Males were affected more than females, male to female ratio was 1.2-1. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common type of oral cancers. Gingiva was the most affected sites, followed by the tongue. Shammah (traditional-name of smokeless tobacco in Yemen and Saudia Arabia) was the main risk factor and play an important role to development of oral cancers.

Keywords

• Cancer
• oral cancers
• oral cavity