Profile of oral cavity neoplastic lesions: two year pilot study at tertiary care centre

Background: In India 53,251 new head and neck cancer cases are diagnosed every year. Benign tumours are more frequently in the oral cavity than oropharynx. Methods: The prospective study was carried out in the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, over a period of two and half years, comprised of 66 cases of head and neck neoplasia. The demographic, gender profile, clinical presentation, histopathological diagnosis, therapeutic modality undertaken and post op complications of neoplastic lesions of the oral cavity were studied. follow up was done for 6 months. The therapeutic modalities included surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy as per the stage of the lesion. Results: Incidence of oral cancer is 13.6% among head and neck neoplasms over a period of 2 years (2011-2012). The overall male to female ratio was 1:1.25, among benign was 1:1 and among malignant was 1:1.3. Benign oral cavity tumors were managed surgically with wide excision. Out of 7, 4 (44%) malignant oral cavity tumor patient experienced difficulty in swallowing. Three (43%) out of 4 squamous cell carcinoma patients complained of difficulty in speaking, which is commonly seen in post-glossectomy patients. The survival rate for 6 months follows up, was 100%. Conclusions: Squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest oral cavity neoplasia. At post treatment follow up period of 6 months survival rate of benign neoplasia is better than malignant neoplasia.