Cancer of the oral cavity and cancer of the oropharynx. A retrospective study of 390 patients
Wildt, J.; Bjerrum, P.; Elbrønd, O.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 149(46): 3099-3103
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 3445367 Document Number: 292313
In a retrospective investigation of 390 patients with cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx from a geographically well-defined region, registered during a period of 11 years and 3 months, the incidence, patient characteristics, the diagnostic course and the prognosis are illustrated. An increasing number of cases of cancer of the oral cavity was found. Patients with cancer of the oral cavity differed as regards sex and age distribution, tumour stage and prognosis as compared with patients with cancer of the oropharynx. In tumours of stages II and III, the prognoses for the two localizations were, however, identical. "Diagnostic delay" was, on an average 4.9 months and was greatest for cases of tumours localized to the buccal mucosa and floor of the mouth. No unequivocal connection could be found between the size of the tumour at the time of diagnosis and the "diagnostic delay". It is concluded that attention concerning early diagnosis in the health service must be intensified and that prophylactic effort directed towards the etiological factors, tobacco and alcohol, are necessary.