title: Frequency of Delayed Diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Pakistan
abstract: Objectives: To determine the frequency of delayed diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma in our setup;
  highlighting factors responsible for any delay and their possible relevance to demographic and diagnostic features.
  Methods: This cross sectional study of six months duration was conducted in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  Department of the Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. A total of 246 patients, both male and
  female, having a biopsy proven definitive diagnosis of OSCC were included using a consecutive sampling technique.
  Delay in diagnosis was assessed from the stated period of time from when the patient first noticed symptoms of disease
  until a definitive diagnosis was made. We concluded delayed diagnosis if this was more than 40 days. Results: The
  ages of patients ranged from 27 to 60 years with a mean of 46.7 ± 10.2 years and a marked male predominance (3.7:1).
  Delayed diagnosis was observed in 91.5% of cases. However, statistically no significant differences were found with age,
  gender, marital, education status, household income and time of biopsy. Conclusion: Our primary finding of delayed
  diagnosis with no prior contact with any health care professional clearly reflects a need of taking urgent measures to
  avoid serious impacts on morbidity and mortality associated with OSCC.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University College of Dentistry, University of Lahore,  Lahore, Pakistan. Email:rabianaseer333@gmail.com
authors.forename: Rabia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Naseer
authors.forename: Iram
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Naz
authors.forename: Muhammad Khurram
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Mahmood
keywords: Squamous cell carcinoma; frequency; diagnosis; oral cancer