Factors associated with early-stage diagnosis of oral and pharyngeal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics and treatment-seeking behaviors of patients diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) and to determine whether seeing an oral healthcare provider in the preceding year was associated with an earlier stage of diagnosis.


METHODS
Trained interviewers administered a pretested survey instrument to a sample of 131 patients newly diagnosed with OPC at two cancer centers in Florida. Analyses were conducted to compare characteristics of patients by cancer summary stage (early or advanced) on receipt of OPC examination, patterns of dental care, and number of initial signs and symptoms. In addition, analyses were also conducted for characteristics of patients' dental care utilization (regular primary care dentist, time of most recent dental visit, and regular dental care) by receipt of OPC examination.


RESULTS
Overall, 25.3% of participants reported receiving an OPC examination at their last dental visit and participants who received an OPC examination were significantly more likely (79%) to be diagnosed at early stages than those who did not receive an oral cancer examination (48%). Patients with a regular primary care dentist were more likely to be diagnosed at early stages (65%) than those without a regular primary care dentist (41%). Factors significantly associated with receiving an OPC examination included having a regular primary care dentist (P < 0.001), having a dental visit in the preceding 12 months (P < 0.001), and receiving regular care (P < 0.001). The number of signs or symptoms reported by the patient was significantly associated with the stage at diagnosis (P = 0.002) and the most common initial symptom reported by patients was soreness in the mouth.


CONCLUSIONS
These results emphasize the importance of periodic and thorough OPC examinations.
Watson
Jennifer M
JM
Department of Community Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-3628, USA. jwatson@dental.ufl.edu
Logan
Henrietta L
HL
Tomar
Scott L
SL
Sandow
Pamela
P
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003945:Diagnosis, Oral / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed