Oral cavity tumours, a clinical experience in a tertiary care center

ABSTRACT

To determine the age range, gender distribution, histological types, sites, neck node involvement, and surgery as modality of treatment in diagnosed cases of oral cavity tumours in a tertiary care centre. Descriptive Study. The study was carried out in ENT Department, CMH Rawalpindi for the duration from Dec 2008- Dec 2011. Data of 113 biopsy proven cases of oral cavity tumors who underwent surgery at CMH Rawalpindi, were retrieved from Armed Forces Institute of Pathology's Tumour Registry and from Head and Neck Oncology Forum Registry, and were evaluated. Out of 113 patients with oral cavity tumours, 87 [77%] were male, while 26 [23%] were female, the male female ratio being 31. The mean age of the patients was 59.4 years, ranging from 40 to 75 years. Site distribution of the tumours was Tongue 61[54%], buccal mucosa 24 [21%], floor of mouth 18 [16%], and hard palate 10 [9%]. The histology of tumours showed Squamous cell carcinoma in 102 [90%] and tumours of Salivary gland origin in 11 [10%]. Sixty four [56%] of these patients had N0 disease, 10 [9%] had N1 disease, 8 [7%] had N[2s] disease, 27 [25%] had N[2b] disease, 3 [2%] had N[2c] disease, while 1 patient [1%] had N[3] disease. Resection of the tumour along with Supra-omohyoid neck dissection was carried out in 64 [56%] patients, while resection with radical neck dissection was done in 49 [44%] patients. Primary closure was carried out in 62 [55%] patients, while secondary reconstruction was done in 51 [45%] patients. Presentation of oral cavity tumours occur at an advanced age with male preponderance in our population. Early presentation results in lesser local spread, leading to less aggressive surgical approach with selective neck dissection