Impact of varying anatomic sites on advanced stage and survival of oral cancer: 9-year prospective cohort of 27 717 cases.

Abstract

To elucidate the impact of varying anatomic sites on advanced stage of and death from oral cancer. A total of 27 717 oral cancers mainly from a population-based visual inspection program in Taiwan from 2004 to 2009 was followed until the end of 2012. Using lip cancer as reference, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval [CI]) of advanced stage of cancer were 2.20 (1.92-2.51) for tongue, 2.60 (2.28-2.97) for buccal, 2.68 (2.20-3.28) for floor of mouth, 2.96 (2.52-3.47) for hard palate, 6.04 (5.17-7.05) for gingiva, and 10.83 (9.20-12.74) for oropharynx. The estimated hazard ratios (95% CI) for oral cancer death increased from 1.48 (1.31-1.67) in buccal, 1.61 (1.43-1.82) in tongue, 1.68 (1.41-1.99) in floor of mouth, 1.79 (1.57-2.05) in gingiva, 1.97 (1.71-2.26) in hard palate, and 2.15 (1.89-2.45) in oropharynx. Different anatomic sites had variations in advanced stage of and death from oral cancer and need vigilant surveillance.