A total of 313 incident cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were identified. The variables studied were age, gender and clinical staging. Data regarding vital status were obtained from the medical charts of the hospital and clinics and from the Goiânia Mortality Data System.
RESULTS:
Of the 313 incident cases of oral cancer notified between 1988 and 2002 that were identified in this study, 245 (72.7%) occurred in males and 92 (27.3%) in females. The five year overall survival rate for oral cancer in Goiânia was 35.3% with a mean survival time of 30 months (95%CI, 27-32). There was no statistically significant difference in survivaltime between males and females (35.8% versus 33.9%; p = 0.750). In patients with tumors < 4 cm, survival rate was 77%, whereas in patients with tumors > 4 cm, survival rate was 39% (µ = 35 months, 95%CI, 31-38, p < 0.001).