Examine the Prevalence of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma also Determine the Risk Factors and Causes of Improper Diagnosis

Aim: To examine the prevalence of clinical and histological proven cases of oral-squamous cell carcinoma also examine the risk factors and challenges in diagnosis oral cancers. Study Design: Retrospective/observational Place & duration:Department of Oral Pathology, Ghurki Teaching Hospital Lahore from 1st April 2016 to 31st January 2017. Methods: Total sixty patients of both genders with ages 30 to 70 years clinical and histologically diagnosed to have OSCC (oral squamous cell carcinoma) were included in this study. Patients demographical details including age sex, residence, socio-economic status were examined after taking informed consent. Incisional biopsy was taken from all the patients and sent to laboratory for examination. Prevalence and risk factors of OSCC were examined. Challenges in diagnosing were also examined. Results: Out of 60 patients 45 patients found to have OSCC in which 35 (77.76%) were males while 10(22.22%) were females. 20(44.44%) patients were ages 30 to 45 years, 19(42.22%) patients had ages 46 to 60 years and 6(13.33%) patients were ages above 60 years. Buccal mucosa was the most frequent site of OSCC found in 23(51.11%) patients followed by lower alveolar and tongue. The most frequent risk factor was cigarette smoking found in 18(40%) patients. delay due to patients unawareness found in 15(33.33%) patients followed by misdiagnosed by expertise and lack of facility (Diagnosing tools). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of oral cancer and smoking is the major risk factor of this malignant disease. Misdiagnosed at first visit is the major concern, Lack of diagnosis facilities and lack of awareness are also most important factor for increasing the rate of this malignant disorder.