An insight into risk factors profile of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer patients attending two tertiary care hospitals in Jaipur, India

ABSTRACT

Background: Oral cancer is the second most prevalent cancers among males in Jaipur city. Assessment of risk factors profile of patients will help the policy makers in initiating new ways to curb the usage of tobacco among masses. The present study aims to find out the risk factors profile of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients at two hospitals of Jaipur city.Methods: It was a prospective and observational study. The patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were recruited. Data on the demographic profile and clinical information were obtained from hospital and clinical records. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 14 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Chi-square test was performed to analyse the data.Results: Out of 400 oral cancer patients included in this study majority of the patients were in the age range of 40-60years and with a significant male preponderance in all the age groups (P <0.05). The most common habit among males and females was chewing. Buccal mucosa was the most commonly affected site followed by tongue. Both males and females were more likely to be diagnosed in stage 3 (p <0.05).Conclusions: There is a need to reduce the burden of this disease by educating the people about various risk factors which play role in oral cancer development.