ABSTRACT:OBJECTIVE: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent malignant neoplasm in south Asia and a major public health problem in Pakistan due to its high morbidity and poor survival rates. The objective of the study was to describe the clinical pattern of oral squamous cell carcinoma in tertiary care hospitals of Lahore. METHODOLOGY:A cross sectional study was done at tertiary care hospitals of Lahore where demographic and clinical data of eighty nine histologically diagnosed cases of OSCC was studied. RESULTS:Mean age of the patients was 53.13 ±14.82 years and male to female ratio was 1.4:1 with 58.4%males and 41.6% females. Tongue was the most frequently affected site 37.1%followed by buccal mucosa 30.3%. The most common presenting complaint was non healing ulcer 50.6%.Mean duration of lesions at presentation was 5 ± 3.68 months. 66.3% cases reported with history of smoking, chewing tobacco/snuff and betel quid. Smoking was the most prevalent etiological agent accounting for 22.5% cases and was found to be significantly higher in the male population (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS:Most cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in major hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan are reported in 5th to 6 th decade of life, with male preponderance. Ulceration is the most common clinical manifestation in OSCC patients with about two-third cases reporting within 6 months of onset of lesions. Tongue is the most commonly affected site and smoking tobacco and betel quid chewing are the main risk factors implicated in OSCC.

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Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is globally one of the most frequently reported malignancies characterized by local invasion and distant metastasis. Lymphangiogenesis facilitates invasion and nodal metastasis, and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) has been implicated as a key mediator of this process. The current study aimed at determining VEGF-C expression in OSCC and its association with Clinicopathological parameters and lymph node metastasis in our population.Methods: Biopsies from 110 OSCC patients, with detailed documentation of their clinical data were included. After histological examination, cases were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for VEGF-C expression. Reactions were quantified and relation with Clinicopathological parameters explored. The data was analysed using SPSS 21.0.Results: Mean age of the patients was 59.91 ± 1.36 years with the male to female ratio being 1.2:1. OSCC was commonly associated with smoking (30.9%). Immunohistochemical staining of the histological tissue sections of all cases of well (n= 42), moderate (n = 38) and poorly differentiated OSCC (n = 30) revealed extensive VEGF-C immunopositivity compared to normal Keratinocytes. VEGF-C expression was associated significantly with clinical variables (P < 0.05), lymph node metastasis (P <0.004) and the degree of differentiation of the tumour (P<0.001). Conclusion:The findings of the current study underscore the significance of VEGF-C expression in relation to oral carcinogenesis and lymph node metastasis, thereby highlighting its potential for being a promising target for antibody-based therapeutic strategies in Pakistan