Squamous cell carcinoma of the lips in a northern Greek population. Evaluation of prognostic factors on 5-year survival rate--I.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical features of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lips, along with its prognostic factors, in order to extend and update the information related to lip cancer in northern Greece and to provide a basis for international comparison. Records of 1510 patients with SCC of the oral cavity presented at the Theagenion Anticancer Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece from 1979 and 1989 were reviewed. The most common site for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was found to be the lips (59.4%) as compared to 40.5% of intra-oral SCC. Males were affected more frequently, presenting a ratio of 9.2:1. The peak age of incidence was found to be the 6th decade for men and the 8th for women. Rural residents and outdoor workers were affected more than urban residents (79.9% versus 28.1%). Most of the patients were diagnosed in early categories and early clinical stages of the disease. Almost all (98.5%) were classified into T1 and T2 categories, and 92.9% into stages I and II. A total of 7.59% of patients presented with clinically-positive lymph-node involvement. Most of them were classified as an advanced stage of the disease. Primary surgical excision was performed on 60.14%, radiotherapy on 35.14%, a combination of these on 2.47%, and chemotherapy alone or in combination with the above regimens in 2.22% of the cases. The outcome was adequate for surgery, radiotherapy, and the combination of the two, since 91.3, 74, and 90%, respectively, survived for more than 5 years. An overall 5-year survival rate of 83.3% was found. Our findings showed that the survival rate was significantly influenced by the main prognostic factors, such as the size of the tumour, the lymph-node involvement, the clinical stage of the disease and the histologic differentiation. SCC of the lips continues to be the most common site of oral cancer development amongst the Greek population. The aetiologic significance of actinic radiation for SCC of the lips is confirmed by our findings. The main prognostic factors proved to significantly influence the survival of our patients. Our results support the fundamental principal of head and neck cancer, i.e. that early detection of the primary tumour is the best prognostic factor for increasing survival rates. Therefore, public awareness concerning the disease, and better education for health care workers which will provide a thorough knowledge for the prognosis of oral cancer and the factors influencing it, is necessary.