A clinical-pathological and survival study of oral squamous cell carcinomas from a population of the north of Portugal

Objectives: Our aim was to analyze the clinical, pathological, and outcome characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) from a population of the north of Portugal. Material and Methods: We conducted a descriptive study of 128 OSCC diagnosed between the years of 2000 and 2010 in the Centro Hospitalar do Porto. Through of the review of the clinical records we studied several clinical, pathological, and outcome variables. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Cox regression method was used for multivariate analysis. Results: Of 128 patients with OSCC, 83 (64.8%) were male and 45 (35.2%) were female, (mean age of 62.13±15.57 years). The most affected location was the tongue (n=52; 40.6%). The most common cause of reference was a non-healing ulcer (n=35; 28.9%) followed by oral pain (n=27; 22.3%). Sixty (60.6%) patients were tobacco consumers and 55 (57.3%) alcohol consumers. The cumulative 3-years OS rate was 58.6% and DFS was 55.4%. In multivariable analysis for OS, we found an adverse independent prognostic value for advanced tumour size (p<0.001) and for the presence of perineural permeation (p=0.012). For DFS, advanced stage tumours presented adverse independent prognostic value (p<0.001). Conclusions: OSCC occurred most frequently in males, in older patients, and in patients with tobacco and/or alcohol habits. TNM and tumour stage additionally to the perineural permeation were the most important prognostic factors for the survival of these patients, contributing to identify high-risk subgroups and to guide therapy. Key words:Squamous cell carcinoma, mouth neoplasms, oral cancer, oral pathology, prognosis.