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Incidence of oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas is rising worldwide, and population characterization is important to follow for future trends. The aim of this retrospective study was to present a large cohort of primary oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma from all four health regions of Norway, with descriptive clinicopathological characteristics and five-year survival outcomes.

Overall, CT is the most commonly recommended and used imaging modality for OSCC. Despite availability of national guidelines the type and number of radiological examinations vary between centres within a country, but the implementation of a fast-track programme may facilitate fast access to imaging. The absence of uniform criteria for determining the lymph nodes of the neck as cN+ complicates the comparison of the accuracy of the imaging modalities. Well-defined radiological strategies and criteria are needed to optimise the radiological work-up in OSCC.

Background: Incidence of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) is rising worldwide, and population characterization is important to follow future trends. Methods: Patients treated for primary OSCC at all four University Hospitals in Norway between 2005 and 2010 were retrospectively included in this study. The median follow up time was 48 months (range 0-125 months). Results: 535 patients with primary OSCC were identified. The overall survival (OS) was found to be 47%, disease specific survival (DSS) was 52%. When extracting the patients given treatment in curative intent the OS was found to be 56.2% and DSS 62.3%. Median age at diagnosis was 67 years (range 24-101 years), and men were in general eight years younger than women. The male/female ratio was 1.2. No gender difference was found in T status or N status, but both factors influenced significantly on survival. Conclusions: We present a large and validated cohort of primary OSCC. Patients with small tumors and stage I-II at time of diagnosis had better outcome, and habitual examination of the oral cavity by patients, dentists and physicians may shift more tumors to a more beneficial starting point.

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