Sana Wazir, Muslim Khan, Qiam-ud Din.
Common factors delaying the diagnosis of oral cancer.
Pak Oral Dental J Jan ;35(4):567-73.

Oral cancer is a serious health issue that has a universal occurrence. Cancer is the top cause of death in economically developed countries and the second most lethal entity in developing countries. Oral cancer has a five-year survival rate of 50% or less. This rate is much improved when lesions are diagnosed at an early stage of the disease (i.e. small and localized). Detecting oral cancer at an early stage is believed to be the most effective means to reduce morbidity and duration of treatment. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of common factors delaying the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. A Descriptive, cross sectional study was carried out in Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar over a period of six months. Using structured proforma, data from 108 patients with delay in the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma were collected through history taking, clinical examination and histopathological confirmation. Delay in the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma was predominantly found in male patients with a male to female ratio of 3.15:1. The mean age of the patient was 59.59. Most of the patients reporting with delay in the diagnosis were in the 6th decade of life (30.5%) followed by 5th decade (24.99%). The most commonly involved site was mandibular left gingivolabial sulcus (22.2%). Most of the patients with delay in diagnosis reported in stage IV (75%). Patient delay was seen in 26.85% of the patients, with a professional delay of 14.81% of the patients. Both types of delay i.e patient and professional delay was seen in 58.33% of the patients. Amongst 108 patients a total delay in days of more than 200 days was seen in 39.82%, 25.92% of the patients had delay of more than 50 days. Delay in the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma was found more in males than females. Delay was most commonly seen in the 6th decade of life with most of the patients reporting in stage 4. Patient delay was 26.85%, professional delay in diagnosis was 14.81%. Both types of delay was seen in 58.33% of the patients and 39.82% of the patients reported with total delay of more than 200 days.

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