Stage at Diagnosis among Saudi versus Non-Saudi Patients with Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancer Presenting to a Tertiary Care Center: Is there a Difference?

Introduction: This study investigated the differences in the stage of diagnosis of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers between Saudi and non-Saudi patients at a tertiary care center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Given the high incidence of late-stage diagnoses, particularly in oral cancers, this study aimed to explore the role of socioeconomic factors and comorbidities in influencing the timing of diagnosis. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients aged 18 years and older diagnosed with oral, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers between 2011 and 2022. Data on patient demographics, comorbidities, treatment modalities, and staging at diagnosis were collected. Results: Of the 168 patients (75 Saudis and 93 non-Saudis), both groups predominantly presented at late stages, with 79% of Saudi and 85.3% of non-Saudi patients diagnosed at a late stage. There was no significant difference in tumor stage presentation between the two nationalities ( P = 0.369). The tumor site significantly influenced staging, with tongue cancers diagnosed earlier than nasopharyngeal tumors, which were exclusively late-stage tumors. In addition, hypertension and diabetes were correlated with late-stage diagnosis ( P = 0.038). Many other factors were evaluated; however, none appeared to influence the stage at diagnosis. Conclusion: This study highlights the critical issue of the late-stage diagnosis of UADT cancers, particularly among patients with comorbidities and certain tumor sites. Moreover, nationality and other socioeconomic factors significantly affected staging, underscoring the importance of addressing health disparities and improving early detection strategies to enhance patient outcomes.