Epidemiological study of oral cancer patients in Alava province, Spain.

The authors conducted a retrospective study of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSSC) patients in the province of Alava, Spain, to investigate the various epidemiological factors involved. The study included data on 30 patients referred to the Otolaryngology Department of our hospital. The authors identified epidemiological data, including age, symptoms, localization, tumor size, risk factors, tumor stage, treatment and outcome. An elevated percentage of risk factors was found, underlining the importance of early diagnosis. The highest prevalence was in the sixth decade of life. The most frequent symptom was pain, and the localization was in the tongue in 70% of cases. Tumor size ranged from 2 to 3 cm, and 85% of patients underwent surgical resection. Risk factors of smoking and drinking affected 50% of the patients.