Oral cancer presentation among Malay patients in hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to identify the characteristics of oral cancer among Malay patients in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Kelantan.


METHODS
A retrospective record review was conducted from August to December 2006 in HUSM. Of 133 patients with oral cancer diagnosed from 1986 to 2005, 118 were Malay. Data on socio-demographic background, high-risk habits practiced, clinical and histological characteristics, and treatment profile of the patients were obtained.


RESULTS
Malay patients with oral cancer were predominantly elderly, aged 60 years old and above (51.7%) at the time of diagnosis, with a mean age of 58.1 years (SD 16.81). Most patients were males (64.4%) and the majority of them were married (83.9%). More than half (58.5%) had been smokers, and of those who smoked, 89.9% were males. Some had a betel quid chewing habit (22.9%) but none ever consumed alcohol. The majority of the patients (77.1%) were diagnosed at stage IV. The tongue was the most usual site involved (37.3%) and squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological type seen (75.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of oral cancer among Malay patients in HUSM is high (88.7%). It is predominantly found in elderly males and the majority of cases present at advanced stage.
Razak
Asmani Abdul
AA
Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia. fizah@kb.usm.my
Saddki
Norkhafizah
N
Naing
Nyi Nyi
NN
Abdullah
Nizam
N
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors