Risk Factor Trends among Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients in North Jordan: A Pilot Study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and patterns of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)-associated risk factors and patient characteristics in a sample of Jordanian population for further consideration of the results in oral cancer preventive programs. Materials and Methods: The archives of Pathology Department at King Abdullah University Hospital were searched in the period from 2003 to 2023 for patients diagnosed with OSCC. The recorded data included demographics, tumor-related information and risk factors. Data was analyzed using (IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0.1). Results: 168 cases out of which 54 had a full history of risk factors were identified. Age average was 63.5 years. Male: female ratio was 1.7:1. Lateral border of the tongue and lower lip were the most frequent locations. Lower lip was the most common site among outdoor workers. OSCC risk factor analysis revealed low socio-economic status (SES) in 64.8%, smoking in 55.6%, positive family history of other malignancies in 51.9% who all were in the 40s of age, urban area residence in 50%, outdoor working in 38.9%, graduate degree holders in 29.6%, and office workers in 27.8%. Smoking prevalence was 90% in males, 76.2% in outdoor workers, 60.7% in OSCC patients with positive family history of other malignancy, 63.3% in low-SES patients, 56.7% in urban residents, 53.3% in office workers, and 50% in graduate degree holders. OSCC female patients were non-smokers with a percentage of 85% and were nonemployed with a percentage of 75%. Conclusions: Low-SES patients, smokers, patients with positive family history of malignancy, urban residents, outdoor workers, graduate degree holders, and office workers are recommended to be targeted in oral cancer preventive programs. Smoking is still the most prevalent OSCC risk factor in our sample. Smoking cessation clinics will be of utmost importance. Wide-scale national studies of OSCC differe