A clinicopathological study of cheek carcinoma and different types of reconstructive procedure for its treatment in a tertiary care centre in India

Background: The incidence of oral cancer varies globally and regionally and is closely linked with geographical, social, economical, biological, ethnic, dietary and environmental factors. In India, buccal mucosa (cheek) is the most common site for the lesion having 50% of all the oral cavity cancers and the incidence of oral cancers is about 10.6 % of all cancers. The aim of the study was to study the mucosal lesions with regard to mode of presentation, aetiopathology, histopathological aspects, various surgical modalities.Methods: The prospective observational and descriptive tertiary care institute based case study was undertaken at Medical College, Kolkata. A total of 30 patients were included in the study.Results: Maximum number of patients was in the 51-60 yr age group and the male: female sex ratio was 7:3. The maximum risk factors were found to be smoking and tobacco. 16.67% patients had premalignant lesions namely leucoplakia whereas 73.33% of the patients presented with oral ulcers as the chief complaint. Most of the patients presented in the late stage. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological type. Out of 30 patients, 6 underwent wide local excision only and the rest underwent neck dissection. Mandibulectomy was done in 14 patients, Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap was the most common reconstructive procedure used (43.33%).Conclusions: Cancer of the oral cavity accounts for a high incidence in our country due to our social habits. In spite of easy accessibility to early lesion, the number of locally advanced lesion is very high. This can be prevented by creating health awareness.