Reporting frequency of potentially malignant oral disorders and oral cancer: A 10-year retrospective data analysis in a teaching dental institution

Abstract

Introduction: Incidence of oral potentially malignant and malignant lesions is increasing, thereby escalating the burden of cancer on our nation. Oral cancer and preceding lesions are of utmost importance for the present scenario. Various risk factors predominantly, consumption of tobacco with other synergetic products affect the oral mucosa. Registry of these lesions at a hospital-level and national level shall bring awareness in the public sector. Categorization of cases would lead to pooling of the overall data for oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and oral cancer (OC). The present study aimed to report the frequency of patients affected with potentially malignant oral disorders and oral cancer and to articulate the data at a teaching dental institution. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the department of Oral Pathology from the archives between 2009 and 2019. Data were manually retrieved year-wise concerning age, sex, site involved, and histopathological findings. Cases were evaluated to segregate OPMDs and OC. Results: Overall, 3223 oral biopsies were reviewed and analyzed. Six-hundred eighty-three (21.16%) patients were segregated, out of which OPMDs were 205 (6.38%) and 478 (14.8%) were oral cancer. Oral leukoplakia 3.2% constituted the highest number of patients in OPMDs group, followed by oral lichen planus (1.6%) and oral submucous fibrosis (1.36%). The most frequent lesion in the oral cancer group was oral squamous cell carcinoma (12.9%) followed by verrucous carcinoma (1.86%). The average age range affects the most common lesions was fifth decade in case of oral leukoplakia and sixth decade in case oral squamous cell carcinoma. The most frequently involved site in the oral cavity was buccal mucosa. Conclusion: Studies evaluating the prevalence rate of the OPMDs and oral carcinoma of the oral cavity are beneficial for general dental practitioners in making early diagnosis and treatment. Awareness programs on preventive and diagnostic measures at public and health sectors shall help in understanding the latest scenario. This is possible only after the registry of the lesions at various programmed levels.

Keywords

• diagnosis
• leukoplakia
• lichen planus
• oral cancer
• screening