title: Retrospective study on risk habits among oral cancer patients in Karnataka Cancer Therapy and Research Institute, Hubli, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retrospective studies on oral cancer patient profiles related to risk habits could provide etiologic clues for prevention in specific geographic areas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study risk habit characteristics of oral cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional retrospective case record study of oral cancer patients who reported during 1991-2000 to Karnataka Cancer Therapy and Research Institute, Hubli, India was conducted. Data on socio-demography, histopathology, site of cancer and risk habit profiles of the patients were recorded in a predesigned Performa by one calibrated examiner with internal validity checks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 1,472 oral cancer patients constituted 11% of total cancer patients. Mean age of the patients was 55 years, ranging from 12-88, with a male: female ratio of 2:1. 1,110 (75%) oral cancer patients had risk habits, 55% were habituated for >10 years and 25% were habit free. 751(51%) patients had individual and 359(24%) had combined risk habits. Majority 59% were chewers of betel quid alone (17%)/betel quid with tobacco (42%); smokers were (31%) and alcohol users were (14%) of patients. Chewers of gutkha, khaini were more in <40 years and betel quid in >40 years. Risk habituates were highest (87%) in patients with cancer of buccal mucosa, commonly affected site attributed to chewing habit in (51%) of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of oral cancer was higher among elderly males predominantly with risk habits of betel quid/tobacco chewing and smoking for more than 10 years.
authors: Department of Public Health Dentistry, ITS Dental College Hospital and Research Center, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. arunads_samay@yahoo.com
authors: D S
authors: DS
authors: Aruna
authors: K V V
authors: KV
authors: Prasad
authors: Girish R
authors: GR
authors: Shavi
authors: Jitendra
authors: J
authors: Ariga
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Rajesh
authors: Madhusudan
authors: M
authors: Krishna
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001114:Areca / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult