Demographic, aetiological and survival differences of oral squamous cell carcinoma in the young and the old in Sri Lanka.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major oncological problem in many regions of the world where tobacco habits are practiced in the form of chewing and/or smoking with or without alcohol intake. It accounts for 16.5% of all cancers in Sri Lankan patients with a male:female ratio of 4:1. In Sri Lanka nearly 5% of OSCC are diagnosed in young patients. This comparative study describes, demographic, aetiological and survival data from young and old patients with OSCC (n=56). Both younger and older groups showed a marked male predilection (male:female ratio was 4:1 and 3.7:1 in younger and older groups respectively). Tongue was the commonest site for younger group (41%, P<0.01) whilst buccal mucosa (37.5%, P<0.05) and alveolar mucosa (25%, P<0.01) were for older group. 39% of cancers in younger group were not associated with any identifiable risk factor (P<0.01) and 70% of SCC of the tongue has no associated habits (P<0.01). SCC of the tongue in the younger group shows poor prognosis than the older patients. Three-year survival rate for the total number showed no significant difference in two age groups. Survival appeared to be better in patients without associated habits in the older group.