Comparing the Occurrence of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in New Zealand and the Fiji Islands from 2000-2010

Abstract

Introduction: Despite numerous studies on the prevalence of oral squamous cell carcinoma in geographically diverse populations, no detailed data analysis has been carried out in the Fiji Islands. The most recent analysis of oral cancer in New Zealand was published in 1995. Aim: To determine the occurrence of OSCC in New Zealand and the Fiji Islands from 2000-2010. Method: Data on oral squamous cell carcinoma in New Zealand and the Fiji Islands were obtained from the Cancer Registers of both countries, the Oral Pathology Diagnostic Service of the University of Otago and Histology Departments at the three Divisional Hospitals in Fiji. Results: In the 11-year period under examination, a total of 1916 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma were recorded in New Zealand and 124 in the Fiji Islands. The annual age standardized incidence rate for oral squamous cell carcinoma in New Zealand was 4.2 per 100,000 persons in comparison to the Fiji Islands where a rate of 1.3 per 100,000 persons was recorded. The male to female ratio for New Zealand was 1.85:1 and 1:1 for the Fiji Islands. Conclusion: There was a low occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma in the Fiji Islands compared to New Zealand.