Tendencies in the oral cavity cancer morbidity in three regions of South Bulgaria for a period of 15 years (1985-1999).
BACKGROUND
Oral cavity cancer constitutes 4% of all malignancies. In Bulgaria it is 2.21% of all malignancies.


OBJECTIVE
In the present study we have set as an aim to investigate the tendencies of oral cavity cancer morbidity in three regions of South Bulgaria for a period of 15 years.


METHODS
A retrospective epidemiological study of oral cavity cancer was performed.


RESULTS
The calculated speed of growth is characterized with dynamic growth. Taking 1985 for a base, morbidity increases by 58.6% in 1999. Morbidity in men increased from 8.9 cases per 100 000 in 1985 to 10.12 cases per 100 000 in 1999; in women it increased from 1.4 cases per 100 000 in 1985 to 2.25 cases per 100 000 in 1999. We have found that morbidity in men over the age of 60 has increased more than 25 times and in women - more than 2 times. Mortality varies from 2.64 to 2.78 cases per 100 000. An important risk factor for oral cavity cancer development is poor oral hygiene.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral cavity cancer morbidity increases from 3.6 to 8.08 cases per 100 000 in 1999. The risk is 6.9 times higher in men than in women. The risk factors are smoking, alcohol abuse and poor oral hygiene.
Sarachev
E L
EL
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Higher Medical Institute, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Ananostev
N H
NH
D002031:Bulgaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics