referral source of oral cancer patients in local population: a preliminary report

ABSTRACT

To ascertain the sources of referral of oral cancer patients on presentation at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 70 consecutively selected patients with positive biopsy report for oral malignancy over a period of 19 months. Main source of presentation was the medical and surgical specialists accounting for 37.1% of all referrals and primary physicians accounting for 30% of referrals. This study suggests that significant number of patients present to the maxillofacial surgical specialist in second and third presentation. It is therefore imperative that any attempt at educating in early detection and prevention of oral cancer must include not only GP's but also other medical and surgical specialties