Demographic, Clinical and Pathological Factors Influencing Prognosis in Oral Cancer Patients

Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents the most prevalent malignancy of the head and neck region, with rising incidence and mortality globally. Understanding demographic, clinical, and pathological factors is critical for improving early diagnosis and guiding treatment strategies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and pathological characteristics of oral cancer patients and explore their potential influence on prognosis. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Bangladesh ENT Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 2019 to June 2024. This study included 120 patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) who received treatment and/or follow-up at our institution. Result: The mean age of patients was 52.01 ± 13.21 years, with a predominance of females (60%) and urban residents (54.17%). The most commonly affected site was the buccal mucosa (40.83%), and 65% were diagnosed at an early clinical stage. Tobacco use was the most prevalent risk factor (46.67%). Pathologically, 56.67% of tumors were 2–4 cm in size, and 60.83% were well-differentiated. Lymph node involvement was seen in 77.5% of cases. High rates of perineural invasion (86.67%) and lymph vascular invasion (84.17%) were observed. Distant metastases were present in 48.33% of patients. Most patients underwent surgery alone (50.83%), with others receiving additional radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Conclusion: The findings suggest that socioeconomic factors may be related to the advancement of the clinical stage of oral cancer. Enhancing early detection strategies and integrating risk-based assessment into routine healthcare can improve overall prognosis and survival in oral cancer patients.