Predictive Factors in the Appearance and Evolution of Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Oral Cavity

Abstract

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) registered an alarming fall in the average age of individuals diagnosed in the last decade. Objectives: The aim of our study is to assess the main risk factors for OSCC specific to Romania and to identify patients at risk for this pathology. The purpose is to implement in the future a screening and early diagnosis program for OSCC in our country. Materials and Methods: A ten-year case-control study was conducted on patients selected from “St. Spiridon” Hospital-Iaşi, Romania. The study contained 1780 individuals diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Results: For the patients under 46 years old: APC = −2.8 percent (95% CI: −24.4 to −7.1; p = 0.0012), with the observed rate of 30.18 percent. The incidence increased in patients aged 46 to 49 years (APC = 9.6%; 95% CI: 6.7 to −10.4; p = 0.0081). For the age group 49 to 64 years old: APC = −2.4 percent (95% CI: −5.3 to −1.6, p = 0.1239). For the age group 64–74: APC = −4.6, (95% CI: 1.4 to 6.9, p = 0.0108). The incidence of incidents was lower in the age group 74–80 (p = 0.0025). For the age group 80–91: APC = 8.1 (95% CI: 6.4 to 14.2, p = 0.0024), with the incidence of cases: APC = 8.1 (95% CI: 6.4 to 14.2, p = 0.0024). Univariate analysis revealed a substantially higher risk of developing oral carcinoma in males (OR = 4.43; CI: 3.84 to 5.80). Age above 60, cigarette usage and alcohol abuse are significant risk factors for OSCC. Patients with lymph node dissemination, ulcero-vegetant form, stages II and IV, whose therapeutic approach consisted of radiotherapy and chemotherapy or radiotherapy only had a worse rate of survival at 24 months post-therapy. Conclusions: Our study highlights the increase in the incidence of OSCC in Romania during the research period, the decrease in the average age of diagnosed patients, as well as the degree to which the studied population is exposed to the main risk factors specific to this geographical area.