Epidemiological, clinical, and prognostic analysis of oral squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed and treated in a single hospital in Galicia (Spain): a retrospective study with 5-year follow-up / Análisis epidemiológico, clínico y pronóstico del carcinoma oral de células escamosas diagnosticado y tratado en un único hospital de Galicia (España): un estudio retrospectivo con un seguimiento de 5 años

ABSTRACT

Background: Oral cancer is a common neoplasm worldwide, mostly corresponding to squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC). Unfortunately, its overall prognosis remains poor, with no improvement in recent decades. In this study,we have analysed the epidemiological, clinical, and prognostic characteristics of OSCC on patients of a specificSpanish region (Galicia), in order to improve its prognosis and apply effective preventive and early diagnosismeasures.Material and Methods: We retrospectively analysed 243 cases of OSCC, diagnosed and treated in a single hospitalcentre in Galicia between 2010 and 2015 (minimum of 5 years of evolution). Overall and specific survival werecalculated (Kaplan-Meier) and associated variables were identified (log rank test and Cox regression).Results: The mean age of the patients was 67 years, with the majority being male (69.5%), smokers (45.9%) andalcohol consumers (58.6%), who lived in non-urban areas (79.4%). Cases diagnosed at advanced stages entailedthe 48.1% of the sample, and 38.7% of cases relapsed. The 5-year overall and disease-specific survival rates were39.9% and 46.1%, respectively. Patients who consumed tobacco and alcohol had a worse prognosis. OSCC casesreferred to hospital by specialist dentists had a better prognosis, as those who were previously diagnosed with anoral potentially malignant oral disorder (OPMD) or received dental care during OSCC treatmen. Conclusions: In view of these findings, we conclude that OSCC in Galicia (Spain) still has a very poor overall prog-nosis, which is mainly related to the advanced age of the patients and the late diagnosis. Our study highlights thebetter survival of OSCC in relation to the referring health professional, the presence of a previous OPMD and thedental care after diagnosis. This demonstrates the importance of dentistry as a health profession involved in the earlydiagnosis and multidisciplinary management of this malignant neoplasm.(AU)