The HABITS AND REASONS OF DELAYED PRESENTATION OF PATIENTS WITH ORAL CANCER AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY

Abstract

Background: Oral cancer accounts for nearly one-fifth of all cancers in males and one-tenth in females globally. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 90% of the oral cancer. The occurrence rate of oral cancer is higher in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. In South Asia oral cancer constitutes 25% of all new cancer reported among males. The estimated incidence of oral cancer in Pakistan is 14.7%. Methods: A cross sectional observational study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi with a sample of 145 patients with pathological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity. Patients were characterized into early stage (I and II) and advanced stage (III and IV), according to AJCC classification of tumors (2010). Data entry and analysis was carried out on SPSS 19. Qualitative data was expressed in percentages and results were accessed by Chi squared test. Results: The mean age was recorded 47.87 ± 12.50 years. Males participants were 63.4% and 36.6% females were incorporated in our study. More than half came with the Stage IV. 35.2% of participants became aware of their initial symptom before 6 months before pursuing any doctor. 83% patients presented with noteworthy habit of Tobacco or Chalia chewing. Bulk of the participants stated that they would have presented before if they had knowledge about the disease. 85% thought that increasing awareness of oral cancer through media may decrease the time in seeking help from qualified doctor. Conclusion: The study concludes that most of the participants presented late to the professional because of lack of knowledge about signs and symptoms of oral malignancy.