Oral cancer in India.

Abstract

In order to investigate the reasons for high incidence of cancer of the mouth and pharynx in India a clinical study an analysis of hospital statistics and a field survey of healthy men over the age of 30 were conducted. Oral cancer accounts for almost 1/2 the cases of cancer in men at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Bombay. Even concerning the most common site for the occurrence of oral cancer there is a noticeable difference in various communities in Bombay and in various localities in India. Results of an analysis of data from 1460 unselected patients admitted to the Tata Memorial Hospital during 1952-1954 yielded the following findings: 1) the habit of chewing tobacco was associated with cancer of the oral cavity; 2) the combined habits of smoking and chewing with cancer of the hypopharynx and base of the tongue; and 3) smoking mainly was associated with oropharyngeal cancer and cancer of the upper portion of the esophagus. Field work was initiated in 1952. The men were interviewed in their homes or places of work and examined for oral symptoms. Information was also collected about the chewing and smoking habits nutritional status and mouth cleaning habits. 4 surveys have been completed thus far comprising 33745 interviews covering 3 different regions of the country. Smoking and chewing tobacco generally reveals itself by an increased incidence of oral symptoms although there is a great deal of variation in the degree of this effect. Differences in the smoking and chewing habits seem to contribute to a certain extent to this variation. Genetic and other environmental factors including nutrition also appear to play an important role.