Oral cavity cancers at a young age: Analysis of patient, tumor and treatment characteristics in Chiang Mai University Hospital

SummaryOral cavity cancer is predominantly a disease of middle-aged men who use tobacco and alcohol. Nearly 95% of carcinomas occur after the age of 45, with an average age of approximately 60 years. In recent years, oral cavity cancers have increased at a younger age, especially in females who never consumed alcohol or smoked. The purpose of this study is to provide the information of these cancers in young patients treated in our hospital during a 5-year period. As well as to describe the treatment modalities and their results. We reviewed the medical records of oral cavity cancer patients occuring before the age of 45 who were treated at Chiang Mai University Hospital from 1999 to 2003. All the demographic data, histopathology, treatment modalities and their results were recorded. Follow up range from 0.7 to 4.4 years (mean 2.6 year). A total of 20 patients were studied. There were 12 male (60%) and 8 female (40%). The mean age was 34.4 year (20–40 year). The most common site was oral tongue (15 patients, 75%). Fifty-five percent of patients were stage III and IV. Only 6 patients (30%) were treated by surgery alone, 8 patients (40%) were treated by surgery and post-operative radiotherapy, 4 patients (20%) were subjected to radiotherapy alone, and 2 patients (10%) were treated by radiochemotherapy. The results of primary treatment in all modalities were acceptable with 5 patients (25%) developing loco-regional recurrence of disease within 10.8 months (2–36). At the time of analysis, 13 patients (65%) had no evidence of disease. The demographic data of oral cavity in younger patients in our hospital were different from the elderly, with oral tongue commonly occuring. Most of the patients were locally advanced stage. The results of all treatment modalities provided fair loco-regional control suggested more aggressive treatment in this group of patients.