Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity in young patients: a matched-pair analysis

Abstract

There is an increased incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in young patients. However, the literature concerning prognosis for young patients with oral SCC is conflicting. The aim of this study was to compare the survival rates of patients under 45 years of age and diagnosed with SCC of the oral cavity with those of patients older than 45 years. A retrospective review of 28 patients under 45 years of age with SCC of the oral cavity was performed. We matched each of these patients by sex, tumor site, and overall stage with two patients older than 45 years. Overall survival, disease-free survival, disease-specific survival, rates of local, regional and distant metastasis were determined for both populations. Survival analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard models. Stage and treatment modality were similar in the two groups. There were significant differences in overall survival (P=0.024) and disease-specific survival (P=0.03) favoring young patients. Locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis were higher in the older patients. Furthermore, matched survival analysis demonstrated a difference in overall survival rate [risk ratio (RR) 2.457; P=0.033] and disease-specific survival [RR 2.475; P=0.048]. Young patients with SCC of the oral cavity developed fewer locoregional recurrences and distant metastasis. The overall survival and disease-specific survival rates were better in the young patient population.

Clinical and histopathological analysis of oral Squamous cell carcinoma of young patients in Mashhad, Iran: A retrospective study and review of literature

“…None of our cases had a special risk factor or habit. It was consistent with some previous studies, whereby no major risk factor (smoking and/or drinking) were prepresent (3,8). Low alcohol consumption due to Islamic rules, and risky behaviors among people of this province such as chewing tobacco and eating spicy foods might explain showing no risk factor in our cases.…”

“…Sasaki et al believed that there are minimal differences between the younger and the older patients in clinical and histological characteristics (2). But other studies have reported fewer recurrences and distant metastasis and better survival rate in the young patient population (8).…”

“…Familial history has been suggested as an important etiological factor in young people. Some researchers believe that familial history is more significant than tobacco and alcohol consumption in developing of OSCC in the young (1,8). Viral infections (13), deficiency of fresh fruits and vegetables in diet (14) nutritional deficiencies (particularly of iron and folic acid) (15), have been suggested as the risk factors of OSCC in young people in the literature.…”

“…It seems that biological behavior and etiology of OSCC in young patients are unlike older age groups and some studies suggest that oral cancer in young patients is more aggressive (6). Recent studies revealed that there is no difference between clinical course and survival rate (2,(7)(8)(9). Iran is a large country located in the Middle East and Khorasan is one of the largest provinces in Iran covering 7.8% of the total area of this country.…”

Clinico-Pathological Differences of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma among Younger and Older Patients

“…Furthermore, some studies showed the more biological behavior and clinical course of OSCC in young patients [2,9,10]. But in other studies observed no difference between clinical course and prognosis of OSCC in two groups of age [4,11,12]. Even, Udeabor and et al showed that young patients have a better prognosis than old patients [8].…”