Epidemiological study on oral cancer from various districts of Nepal 2013-2017

Cancer epidemiology can be used to identify events that increases or decreases cancer incidence in specific populations. Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, is cancer of the lining of the lips, mouth, or upper throat. Oral cancer incidence doesn't mean that only one bodily cancer but it covers the lip, mouth, palate, gum, and above all the cavity along with the other unspecified sides. Cancer of the oral cavity (Oral cancer) is the 11th most common malignancy in the world, despite the general global trend of a slight decrease in the incidence of oral cancer, tongue cancer incidence is increasing. About 90% of tumors are sub typed to oral Squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The incidence and mortality of this tumor shows variability according to the geographic location in which it is diagnosed, however in the last decade an increase was seen in the percentage of young patients, especially patients with tongue cancer. Various hospital based cancer researchers showed that Cancer incidence including oral cancer burden in Nepal was increasing every year. But exact cancer incidence, death and relevant community based details of cancer is unknown. Therefore the aim of this study is to determine the incidence of oral cancer and assess its trend in the fifteen districts of various district of Nepal for 2013-2017 A.D. This population based descriptive epidemiological study was based on secondary data derived from various sources where recorded new oral cancer every year since first January 2013 to last December 2017. Among the cases other and unspecified parts of tongue was the first leading cancer site followed by other and unspecified parts of mouth and gum for both sex. The trend of oral cancer was seen to be increasing yearly during the study period. Though well organized awareness activities, HPV vaccination and screening programs are still needed to prevent and control the incidence of oral cancer in our communities.