Impact of age at diagnosis on clinicopathological outcomes of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

OBJECTIVE: A recent trend in diagnosis of oral cancer in young age is observed, however its impact on various clinicopathological parameters needs to be explored. The aim of the current study was to compare and analyze impact of age at diagnosis with clinicopathological parameters of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. METHODS: In this cross sectional study conducted at Department of Oncology Ziauddin Hospital Karachi, we included histologically confirmed cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The patients were categorized as young age group (40yrs and younger) and old age group (41 yrs and above). A total of 115 patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2016 were enrolled in the study. The variables considered were age at diagnosis, sex, site of lesion, positive family history, tumor grade, stage, uric acid level and survival. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed between two age groups in overall survival, uric acid level and positive family history of cancer. No significant difference was observed in tumor location, grade and stage. CONCLUSION: Majority of oral cancer patients present at an advanced stage irrespective of age at diagnosis but young age has an overall improved survival. Moreover, a positive family history of cancer in young age group mandates further exploration of possible role of genetic polymorphisms which might be responsible for early onset of the disease.