Regional variations

Regional variations

Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers in India, 1 with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 20 per 100 /uni00A0 000. The disease accounts for over one-third of all cancers in India. In contrast to western populations, cancers of the buccogingival/ retromolar area account for over 40% of cancers in India and South East Asia, reflecting the commonplace use of the known carcinogens betel quid/gutka, along with smokeless tobacco. In Europe, there is significant variation reflecting the varying cultures and lifestyles, especially between eastern and western Europe. Eastern Europe has one of the highest age-standardised incidence rates of oral cancer world wide, with Hungary recording the highest rates. In these populations, the lateral border of the tongue and the fl oor of the mouth constitute particularly high-risk sites. In the USA, Surveillance, Epidemiology , and End Results (SEER) Program statistics indicate that the age-adjusted rate for oral cancer is 11.2 per 100 /uni00A0 000 per year, while the number of deaths is 2.5 per 100 /uni00A0 000 per year.

Lip Teeth Uvula Tonsil Floor of mouth Nasopharynx Oropharynx Pharynx Hypopharynx Oesophagus Figure 53.1 The oral cavity.

Regional variations

Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers in India, 1 with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 20 per 100 /uni00A0 000. The disease accounts for over one-third of all cancers in India. In contrast to western populations, cancers of the buccogingival/ retromolar area account for over 40% of cancers in India and South East Asia, reflecting the commonplace use of the known carcinogens betel quid/gutka, along with smokeless tobacco. In Europe, there is significant variation reflecting the varying cultures and lifestyles, especially between eastern and western Europe. Eastern Europe has one of the highest age-standardised incidence rates of oral cancer world wide, with Hungary recording the highest rates. In these populations, the lateral border of the tongue and the fl oor of the mouth constitute particularly high-risk sites. In the USA, Surveillance, Epidemiology , and End Results (SEER) Program statistics indicate that the age-adjusted rate for oral cancer is 11.2 per 100 /uni00A0 000 per year, while the number of deaths is 2.5 per 100 /uni00A0 000 per year.

Lip Teeth Uvula Tonsil Floor of mouth Nasopharynx Oropharynx Pharynx Hypopharynx Oesophagus Figure 53.1 The oral cavity.