Clinical presentation of oral squamous cell carcinoma among patients visiting Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital; A Five-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the oral cavity. Exposure to risk factors including  alcohol, tobacco, ultraviolet radiation, viral infections including the Human Papillomavirus, dietary deficiencies, and immunodeficiencies,  has been linked to Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objectives: The main objective was to describe and classify the clinical presentation of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma among patients  who visited Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital from 2018 to 2022. Specifically, the study set out to determine the number of patients  diagnosed with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital during that period, the demographic data of patients, the clinical presentation and associated risk factors.

Design: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted.

Results: Of the 159 patients, 57.9% were males. The mean age  of presentation was 58 years. Most patients were in their seventh decade of life. The combined use of alcohol and tobacco was the  greatest risk factor, accounting for 15.7% of the cases. The tongue was the most commonly affected site (39%), and ulcers were the most prevalent presentation (46.5%). More patients (71.8%) were diagnosed with stage IV Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, while 44.7% of the cases were welldifferentiated histologically.

Conclusion: Oral Squamous Cell  Carcinoma presented more in males and patients who were in their seventh decade of life. The tongue was the most commonly affected  site and ulcerations were the most typical clinical presentation. Majority of patients presented with stage IV disease whereas the well- differentiated type was the most prevalent histologic category.