The role of tobacco habits in south Indian patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma – A single centre retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Tobacco consumption is one of the most common etiological factors of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). South-East Asia is among the top manufacturers and consumers of tobacco products. Hence this study aimed to report the role of tobacco habits and their association with the clinicopathological characteristics of OSCC patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 188 OSCC cases from 2016 – 2021 was included. The data collected from the biopsy records were reviewed for the history of tobacco habits and its association with demographic, clinical, and histopathological features of OSCC. Results: The majority had the habit of chewing tobacco alone (37%) and for a duration of 15 years and smoking habits for 16 – 30 years of duration. Majority of tumours were located on buccal mucosa and most tumours on the buccal mucosa were associated with tobacco chewing habits. The female patients had a habit of tobacco chewing alone (53.3%) compared to other habits. There was a statistically significant association of habits with tumour location (P = 0.011) and gender ( P = 0.007). Conclusion: The present study highlights the prominent role of tobacco habits in the development of OSCC among patients in South India. Effective tobacco control is important for management of non-communicable diseases. Further, the government of India should also implement tobacco control policies and increase the prices and tax on tobacco products across the nation which can curb tobacco usage among the population.