oral cancer epidemiology

Question 1

What does OC, OP and X mean?

Answer 1

OC - oral cancer
OP - oropharyngeal cancer
X - cancer not a part of the head or neck

Question 2

What is the prevalence of OCC?

Answer 2

Affects 2.5 per 100,000
Almost 50% of these cases were in south Central Asia
Male to female ratio of 2:1
Decreasing in men, increasing in woman (due to tobacco use)

Question 3

What are the common sites for oral cavity cancer?

Answer 3

Floor of mouth
Lateral border of tongue
Retromolar regions
Soft and hard palate
Gingivae
Buccal mucosa
Mostly affects tongue and tonsils

Question 4

What is the prevalence of oro-pharyngeal cancer?

Answer 4

Affects 1.4 per 100,000
Most in North America and south Central Asia
Male to female ratio of 4.8:1
Rising rates linked to HPV epidemic

Question 5

What are the risk factors for oral cancer?

Answer 5

Smokers who don’t drink - x2 risk
Drinkers (3-4 drinks/day) - x2 risk
Smoke and drink - x5 risk
Betel quid (paan) - x3 risk
Socioeconomic status - x2 risk

Question 6

What are the benefits of stopping smoking for oral cancer?

Answer 6

Benefits identified within 1-4 years after stopping
Risks reduced to similar level of those who have never smoked 20 years after quitting

Question 7

What are the benefits of stopping alcohol consumption on oral cancer?

Answer 7

Benefits of heavy consumption take 20 years to begin to emerge

Question 8

What are the benefits of a diet high in fruit and vegetables intake in oral cancer?

Answer 8

Reduces oral cancer risk by half