Factors Predicting Recurrence in an Optimally Treated Oral Cancer: Review of 100 Patients of Oral Cancer in North India

MethodsA retrospective review of data from patients presenting to the surgical oncology department with cancers of the oral cavity during the period from January 2021 to December 2022 was conducted using a prospectively maintained database. Inclusion Criteria• Patients with oral cancer diagnosed by biopsy.• Patients above the age of 18 years.• Patients who completed their therapy in accordance with institutional guidelines. IntroductIonOral cancer is a major public health issue in India and is the most common cancer among men in India and also a major cause of cancer-related death. 1 The main objective of oral cancer management is to decrease the incidence of recurrence and thereby improve overall survival.Though there have been many advances in the management of oral cancer, the 5-year survival rate still remains around 50%, 2,3 and recurrence posttreatment is considered a major factor leading to poor survival.Despite major developments in the diagnosis and management of oral cancer across the globe, recurrence rates posttreatment are still high, ranging from 15 to 45%. 4-6Although many factors have been attributed to recurrence, such as advanced disease, close surgical margins, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymph node involvement, predicting recurrence in treated oral cancer still remains a challenge.This could be attributed to the fact that, despite several studies on this topic, none have been conclusive, and most have shown conflicting results. 7,8Understanding the factors that could lead to recurrence can help in evaluating and planning management and follow-up strategies so as to decrease recurrence and the morbidity associated with it.We planned this study to understand the factors that could contribute to recurrence in optimally treated oral cancer so that it can help in a better understanding of the disease, eventually leading to better management and thereby reducing recurrence.The study was conducted at ESI Medical College, Delhi, which exclusively caters to the labor-class population (factory workers) and provides comprehensive cancer care to insured factory workers.