Cancer in patients of and above 90 years: A hospital-based retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cancers in a nonagenarian patient are rarely seen, and there is always a moral dilemma for the family members and patient of whether to opt for the treatment or not. The main objective was to identify the survival differences between treated and not treated nonagenarian cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of Hospital-Based Cancer Registry data from 2010 to 2016. The data of all nonagenarian cancer patients were analyzed for gender distribution, leading sites of cancer, stage distribution, types of treatment received, and survival. The survival was calculated from the date of the first diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier analysis was done to present the survival. RESULTS: Of 60,087 patients, 146 (0.2%) patients were of 90 years and above. Hypopharynx in males (20.5%) and tongue (20.5%) in females were the top cancer sites, 60% patient data were in Stages III and IV, 37 (25.3%) patients received treatment, and 86% patients were treated by radiotherapy. The overall survival (OS) was 14.3%. OS in the treatment group was 21.3% versus 7.7% (P = 0.001) in the no treatment group. The unadjusted hazard ratio for no treatment group was 3.8 (P = 0.003, confidence interval = 1.5-9.7). CONCLUSION: Selected nonagenarian cancer patients from our population with a good performance status should receive curative treatments in all possible ways.

Prevalence of Molecular Subtypes of Breast Carcinoma and Its Comparison between Two Different Age Groups: A Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Center of Northeast India.

Objective The aim of the study is to see the prevalence of different molecular subtypes in breast cancer patients among two different age groups: ≤40 years and >40 years. Materials and Methods Retrospective study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2019. We studied 568 cases of breast carcinoma and classified them into four molecular subtypes-luminal A, luminal B, human epidermal growth factor-2 (HER 2), and triple negative. Cases were divided into two different groups: (1) ≤40 years and (2) >40 years. Statistical Analysis was done by using SPSS software version 20.0. Results Out of 568 cases, 151 (26.6%) were ≤40 years of age and 417 (73.4%) were >40 years of age. The most common histological subtype of breast cancer was ductal carcinoma in 548 cases and the most common grade was grade III. Immunohistochemistry was done in 432 patients. In younger age group, the most common molecular subtype was luminal B (31%) followed by triple negative (20%), luminal A (14%), and then HER 2 (5.3%), while in the older age group most common molecular subtype was luminal B (27.8%) followed by triple negative (14%), HER 2 (12.2%), and then luminal A (12%). Conclusion Luminal B is found to be the most common subtype in Northeast Indian women with breast cancer, as compared with other studies in which luminal A was the most common subtype. This could be due to the reason that K i -67 was not done in most of the other studies.

Experience with Orbital Tumors from a Tertiary Cancer Centre of North East India: A Pathology Perspective.

Background The orbit is an anatomically complex structure comprising the globe, extraocular muscles, fat, vascular, nervous, glandular, and connective tissues. A wide variety of neoplasms can arise from different orbital structures, which can create a diagnostic challenge to the pathologists. No formal study has been conducted in this regard in North East India. Aim and Objectives This article aims to document the pattern and prevalence of orbital tumors in our institute and assess the utility of histopathological examination (HPE) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the precise diagnosis of these neoplasms. Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis of orbital tumors was performed over a period of 5 years from 2013 to 2018 in the department of pathology at a tertiary cancer center of North East India following all the guidelines of the institutional ethics committee. Results A total of 35 cases of orbital neoplasms, evaluated by HPE and IHC, were found, all of them being malignant tumors. The age range was 4 months to 85 years. Male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The most common tumor found was lymphoma, accounting for 10 cases (28.6%), all of which were non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). All these cases except one occurred in adults, thus making it the most common tumor in adults in this study. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, was the most common NHL, followed by follicular lymphoma, mature T cell NHL, extranodal marginal zone lymphoma, and B cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Rhabdomyosarcoma and poorly differentiated/undifferentiated carcinoma jointly were the second most common tumors, totaling seven cases (21.21%) each. This was followed by melanoma (three cases), myeloid sarcoma (three cases), Ewing sarcoma/peripheral neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) (three cases), neuroblastoma (one case), and angiosarcoma (one case). Among these, rhabdomyosarcoma, granulocytic sarcoma, Ewing sarcoma/PNET, and neuroblastoma exclusively troubled the children. IHC markers including the lymphoma panel, and soft tissue ones were crucial in the precise diagnosis of the neoplasms encountered. Conclusion A variety of malignant orbital tumors may be seen in clinical practice. Management of these tumors requires a multidisciplinary approach. HPE in conjunction with IHC evaluation is of utmost importance in the veracious recognition of orbital tumors for their proper management.

Bacteriological Profile and Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Clinical Isolates in a Tertiary Cancer Care Center in the Northeast India.

Background This study was performed to determine the bacteriological profile and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of culture samples of patients with cancer at our institute. The study was undertaken to formulate an antibiotic policy for the treatment of infection in these patients. Materials and Methods The study was performed in the Department of Microbiology of a regional cancer center during the period from January 2017 to December 2017. Samples were collected under all aseptic precaution, and they were processed as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute Guideline 2017. Results A total of 464 clinical samples (urine, blood, sputum, pus, etc.) were collected and processed for culture, of which 198 (42.67%) samples showed culture positive that were identified as per standard recommended procedures and antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on isolates as per the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines 2017. Escherichia coli (48), Staphylococcus aureus, (45) Klebsiella pneumoniae (52), Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (17), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15) were most commonly encountered. Of the 132 Gram-negative isolates, 101 (76.5%) were extended-spectrum ß-lactamase producers. Among the 45 staphylococcal isolates, 18 (40%) were methicillin-resistant S . aureus. Conclusion The present study reveals microbiological profile in patients attending our cancer institute.

Influence of hormone receptors in breast cancer survival with correlation to place of residence.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Tumor receptors estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) are well recognized prognostic factors for breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Data from the department of pathology for the 5-year period (2010 to 2014) is used for analysis for Kamrup district of Assam, India. Kaplan Meir method was used to evaluate survival rate. RESULT: The overall 5-year survival is observed as 54.6%. There is a 10.6% improvement in survival was recorded among those who living in the urban areas. The risk of death was 40% higher for those who were resides in rural areas compared to urban areas (P = 0.070). There is a 6 fold variation in survival was observed according to their stage at presentation. Hormone receptors found to be play an important role in survival outcome. Patients with ER/PR+ (positive) status have 13.6% higher survival rate than those with ER/PR-. The overall survival for ER/PR positive is 72.1% compared to 58.5% of ER/PR negative. CONCLUSION: From the study it is observed that population with positive hormone receptors (ER/PR +) and living in the urban areas is experiencing survival rate.

Fungal profile and antifungal susceptibility pattern of candidiasis in esophageal cancer patients.

AIM: This study was carried out to determine the fungal profile and antifungal susceptibility pattern in the brushing samples of candidiasis in patients with carcinoma of esophagus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in the Departments of Microbiology and Surgical Oncology of a regional cancer center from January 2017 to December 2017. Samples were collected under all aseptic precaution and Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines 2017 was followed for antifungal susceptibility testing. RESULTS: A total of 132 endoscopy brushing samples were collected from histological proven esophageal cancer patients and processed for fungal culture. Of which, 75 (56.81%) samples showed culture positivity and were recruited. Candida albicans in 40 (53.33%), Candida krusei in 25 (33.33%), Candida tropicalis in 7 (9.33%), and Candida glabrata in 3 (4%) patients were seen. Among the 40 C. albicans isolates, all were sensitive to caspofungin - 40 (100%), 34 (85%) showed sensitivity to fluconazole, and 32 (80%) showed sensitivity to flucytosine. C. krusei and C. tropicalis showed 100% sensitivity to caspofungin, and C. glabrata isolates showed 100% resistance to caspofungin and 80% resistance to Amphotericin B. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed the emergence of multidrug-resistant, nonalbicans Candida isolates in cancer esophagus patients with candidiasis in northeast India.

A Survival Analysis of Hypopharyngeal Cancer Patients: A Hospital-Cancer registry Based Study.

To study the survival in patients affected with hypopharyngeal cancer among treatment groups and different stages. Data of hypopharyngeal cancer patients diagnosed from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2010 was used in the present study. The cases were analyzed for gender, age group distribution, sub-sites at presentation, stage at diagnosis and the type of treatments. Survival from the date of first diagnosis was estimated and hazard ratios were calculated. Survival probability and hazards ratios (HR) were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox-proportional regression analysis respectively. Censoring of patient who survived longer than 5 years was done. Active follow-up was done for the survival analysis. The study cohort included 217 patients and treatment compliance was observed in 46.9% of cases. The median age at diagnosis was 57 years (range 24-90), 86.2% of cases were locally advanced cases (stage III and IV), pyriform sinus was major sub-site (96%), radiotherapy was main treatment modality alone in 84.8% of cases, median survival was 31 months and 5-year overall survival was 36.9%, and HR for stage IV was 1.9 (P = 0.03, 95% CI - 1.04 to 3.7). In developing setting of North East India, radiotherapy was the main modality of treatment for hypopharyngeal cancer patients, and understanding the clinical parameters and survival of this group of cancers is crucial for its control.

Squamous cell carcinoma of upper alveolus: An experience of a tertiary care center of Northeast India.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to analyze the clinical behavior and the impact of nodal metastasis on the prognosis of upper alveolus squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 110 patients with SCC of the upper alveolus (International Classification of Diseases-10-C03.0) diagnosed during 2010-2015 were reviewed. Survival analysis was done using the Kaplan-Meier method and was compared using log rank-test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 110 patients, 59 were males and 51 were females. Forty-six (41.8%) patients presented with lymph node metastasis. Fifty-three (51.8%) patients presented in Stage IVA, thirty (27.3%) patients in Stage IVB, ten (9.1%) patients in Stage III, 12 (10.9%) patients in Stage II. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 71.1% in Stage II, in Stage III it was 65.6%, in Stage it was IVA 56.7%, and in Stage IVB it was 19.4% (P = 0.02). The 5-year OS for node negative compared with node positive was 66.3% versus 37.3%, respectively (P = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Presence of lymph node metastasis is associated with lower survival rates. Adequate surgical resection with adjuvant treatment, where necessary, offers the best chance of disease control.

A survival study of uterine cervical patients in the North East India: Hospital-cancer registry-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Uterine cervical cancer constitutes a major proportion of cancer in females of our population. The objective of this study was to conduct a clinical study of uterine cervical cancers including their survival from hospital-cancer registry data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of uterine cervical cancer patients diagnosed from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and that were treated at a regional cancer center in North East (NE) India was recruited. The cases were analyzed for age group distribution, stage, and treatment types. Survival from the date of first diagnosis and hazard ratios (HRs) was estimated. Survival probability and HRs were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox-proportional regression analysis, respectively. Active follow-up was done for the survival analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-three patients (53.4%) were included for the analysis. Median age was 48 years, 56.5% (108/193) of patients were in the age group of 45-64 years, 56.5% (109/193) were Stage II patients, radiotherapy alone was the main treatment modality in 65.8% (127/193) of cases, 5-year overall survival (OS) was 40.7%, median survival was 44 months, early staged and advanced stage patients had 47.7%, and 29.4% 5-year OS (P = 0.002), respectively, and HR for advanced stages was 1.8 (P = 0.003, confidence interval (CI) = 1.2 to 2.7). CONCLUSION: Describing the clinical characteristics and survival of uterine cervical cancer patients is important for planning and identifying the gaps for its control in the NE India.

Patterns of tobacco use in patients with upper aero digestive tract cancers: A hospital-based study.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is a major risk factor for increasing the burden of upper aero digestive tract (UADT) cancer in the population of Northeast India. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the pattern of tobacco use in different UADT cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of electronically recorded data of the Hospital Cancer Registry for the period of May 2014 to December 2014. The UADT cancers were evaluated for gender and age-group distribution, their relative proportion, and association with tobacco use and tobacco-associated risk in males to develop UADT cancers. The type of tobacco usage was clustered as chewable, smoking, and both. Relative risk (RR) of UADT with tobacco usage was identified for males. RESULTS: A total of 1965 (n) UADT cancer patients were identified, male:female was 2.9, tobacco habits was in 1608 (81.8%) patients, both forms of tobacco use in 705 (43.8%), chewable tobacco use in 588 (36.6%) and smoking in 315 (19.6%) patients, tobacco habits in males ranges from 67.3% to 94.3% and in females range from 5.7% to 32.7%, RR of UADT cancer in males for tongue cancer was 1.5 (confidence interval [CI] =1.2-1.9), oropharynx was 1.4 (CI = 1.0-1.8), hypopharynx 1.4 (CI = 1.1-1.7), esophageal cancer was 1.4 (CI = 1.3-1.7), and for laryngeal cancer RR was 1.7 (CI = 1.0-3.0). CONCLUSION: Consumption of chewable tobacco is the major form of tobacco use alone or in combination in UADT cancer patients of our population.

DNA aptamer probes for detection of estrogen receptor α positive carcinomas.

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) also known as NR3A1 (nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group A, member 1) is a ligand-activated transcription factor. It is an important biomarker for breast cancer metastasis. In the present study, we report a novel DNA aptamer candidate against estrogen receptor (ER) alpha structure. The enriched aptamer candidate was obtained after 14 iterative cycles of in vitro protein-SELEX process. Isothermal calorimetry study suggests the nanomolar sensitivity of the candidate ER_Apt1 to its target protein. Fluorescence- and chemiluminescence-binding assays confirm the specificity of the candidate aptamer to ER alpha positive breast cancer cell line. Comparative analysis of ER_Apt1 to ER alpha monoclonal antibody was also performed to analyze the expression of ER alpha in various malignant cancer cell line. Cytochemical and immunohistochemistry assay indicates its potential use as a diagnostic agent against ERα positive carcinomas. The nucleotide aptamer sequences described in the present study can be used for the detection, treatment, prophylaxis and diagnosis of ERα-related disorder.

Quality assessment and improvement of cancer registration system in Kamrup Urban District: A report.

INTRODUCTION: The global burden of cancer incidence and mortality are rising continuously worldwide. As per the GLOBOCAN 2012 estimates, about 14.1 million cancer cases and 8.2 million cancer deaths occurred and 32.6 million people living with cancer (within 5 years of diagnosis) in 2012 worldwide. Reliable data on the magnitude and the pattern of cancer are essential for monitoring the health of the community, assessing the performance of the health care system. Cancer registries should pay great attention to quality of their data. The completeness of cancer registry data- the extent to which all of the incident cancers occurring in the population are included in the registry database- is an extremely important attribute of a cancer registry. There are mainly four aspects influencing the quality of data namely, comparability, completeness, validity and timeliness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data regarding incidence and mortality with methods of diagnosis for individual years were obtained from the National Cancer Registry Program database of the Indian Council of Medical Research for 2009 to 2014 periods and recalculated for combined years (2009-2014). RESULTS: In males in 2009-11, 77.1% were microscopically confirmed cases which are improved in the later years and for the year 2012-2014, it is 81.4%. In females also the percentage of microscopically confirmed cases were increased from 80.2% to 82.9%. An improvement in mortality to incidence ratio was observed over the years. MI ratio in males was improved to 32.9%. for the year 2012-14 as compared to 28.6% for the year 2009-11 while in female MI ratio is also increased from 18.8% to 21.8% over the period from 2009-11 to 2012-14. Whereas DCO was decreased from 12% to 10.7% in males and 7.3% to 6.6% in females respectively from the period 2009-11 to 2012-14. CONCLUSION: Although there is a slight improvement in data quality till date, there is an enormous scope for population based cancer registry Guwahati to improve the data quality.

Aptamer-Assisted Detection of the Altered Expression of Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Human Breast Cancer.

An increase in the expression of estrogen receptors (ER) and the expanded population of ER-positive cells are two common phenotypes of breast cancer. Detection of the aberrantly expressed ERα in breast cancer is carried out using ERα-antibodies and radiolabelled ligands to make decisions about cancer treatment and targeted therapy. Capitalizing on the beneficial advantages of aptamer over the conventional antibody or radiolabelled ligand, we have identified a DNA aptamer that selectively binds and facilitates the detection of ERα in human breast cancer tissue sections. The aptamer is identified using the high throughput sequencing assisted SELEX screening. Biophysical characterization confirms the binding and formation of a thermodynamically stable complex between the identified DNA aptamer (ERaptD4) and ERα (Ka = 1.55±0.298×108 M(-1); ΔH = 4.32×104±801.1 cal/mol; ΔS = -108 cal/mol/deg). Interestingly, the specificity measurements suggest that the ERaptD4 internalizes into ERα-positive breast cancer cells in a target-selective manner and localizes specifically in the nuclear region. To harness these characteristics of ERaptD4 for detection of ERα expression in breast cancer samples, we performed the aptamer-assisted histochemical analysis of ERα in tissue samples from breast cancer patients. The results were validated by performing the immunohistochemistry on same samples with an ERα-antibody. We found that the two methods agree strongly in assay output (kappa value = 0.930, p-value <0.05 for strong ERα positive and the ERα negative samples; kappa value = 0.823, p-value <0.05 for the weak/moderate ER+ve samples, n = 20). Further, the aptamer stain the ERα-positive cells in breast tissues without cross-reacting to ERα-deficient fibroblasts, adipocytes, or the inflammatory cells. Our results demonstrate a significant consistency in the aptamer-assisted detection of ERα in strong ERα positive, moderate ERα positive and ERα negative breast cancer tissues. We anticipate that the ERaptD4 aptamer targeting ERα may potentially be used for an efficient grading of ERα expression in cancer tissues.

Cancer statistics in Kamrup urban district: Incidence and mortality in 2007-2011.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report cancer statistics in Kamrup Urban District, including incidence and, mortality. INTRODUCTION: In the last five year PBCR-Guwahati witnessed a remarkable growth in cancer incidence cases. The number of new cases of all cancer was increased from 155.3 to 188.5 and 102.7 to 165.3 per 100,000 men and women respectively from the year 2007 to 2011 in KUD. The data from KUD also have shown that for some of the specific types of cancer are highest or some of the highest incidence in rates in the world; particularly cancers of upper aero-digestive tract consist of anatomical sites such as oral cavity, hypopharynx, larynx gallbladder, stomach, lung, prostate and oesophageal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Age-standardized rates (ASR) (per 100,000 person-years) for incidence, mortality were calculated using the World Standard Population as proposed by Segi and modified by Doll et al. Descriptive statistics were presented by tables and figures. RESULTS: A total of 6623 number of cases (male = 3809, female = 2814) were diagnosed with cancer in the last five years (2007-2011) period of time. The overall age standardized cancer incidence rate is almost 21% higher in men than in women. The pooled ASR for the five year period is 175.2 and 144.7 per 100,000 men and women. CONCLUSION: Overall cancer incidence and mortality rates have increased since 2007.

Radiotherapy and Concurrent Chemo-Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Hypopharyngeal Cancers--A Hospital Registry Based Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The survival of patients with hypopharyngeal cancer is low amongst head and neck cancer cases. The incidence rates of hypopharyngeal cancers in our population are amongst the highest in the world and there are limited data available on the literature on varied responses to first course of treatment with radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) in our population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical characteristics and initial responses to treatment in patients who had received radiotherapy and chemo-radiotherapy in a regional cancer center from January 2010 to December 2013 were evaluated. The data were obtained from the hospital cancer registry, and analysis was carried using descriptive statistics. Pearson's chi-square was used to test for differences in the variables and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 554 patients were included in the analysis, 411 (74.2%) receiving RT and 143 (25.8%) being given CRT. There was significantly lower number of patients above 70 years with a higher proportion of patients below 50 years who had received CRT (p<0.05). Some 79.3% and 84.6% of patients in the RT and CRT groups respectively presented with a favorable performance status, and in the RT group 240 (58.4%) showed complete response (CR), and in the CRT group 103 (72.0%) showed CR at the first follow-up (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy gives better short term response to treatment in locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancers.

Association of educational levels with survival in Indian patients with cancer of the uterine cervix.

The main objective of this paper was to assess the influence of educational level on the survival of uterine cervix cancer patients in our population. A total of 224 patients were registered in our registry, of which 178 had information on stage and different educational levels. The overall median survival (MS) was 23 months, with values of 18.5, 20.7 and 41.3 months for the illiterate, literate and qualified groups, respectively. In the illiterate patients, stage I was seen in 2.6% and stage IV in 11.8%, while in other 2 groups stage I was seen in 10% to 17% of patients at the time of diagnosis. The survival probability at around 50 months was around 42%, 30% and 26% (approximately) for qualified, literates and illiterates respectively [Log Rank (Mantel-Cox) showed p=0.023]. Emphasis on imparting education to females can be a part of comprehensive cancer control programme for improving the overall survival in patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix in our population.

Adult non Hodgkin's lymphoma patients: experience from a tertiary care cancer centre in north east India.

There is paucity of data on non Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) from our population in North-East India. In this retrospective study, patients were consecutively followed-up to see the clinic-pathological pattern of NHL, various responses, and pattern of relapses to first line treatment with chemotherapy. All patients in the present study received standard regimen of cyclophosphamde, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone (CHOP) with or without rituximab (R-CHOP) as per our institutional protocol as first line therapy. Our study has shown that, in our adult population, the majority of NHL cases present with stage II and stage III disease and extra nodal involvement, B-cell lymphomas and diffuse large cell lymphomas being the most common subtypes. International prognostic index was a significant factor for varied responses to treatment. The majority of relapses after complete remission occurred in the first year.

Expression of aberrant CD markers in acute leukemia: a study of 100 cases with immunophenotyping by multiparameter flowcytometry.

BACKGROUND: Acute leukemia is a heterogenous disease having diverse phenotypes. Immunophenotyping by flowcytometry is essential for diagnosis of myeloid and lymphoid subtypes. Aberrant phenotype incidence is controversial and dissimilar results have been reported by different groups. OBJECTIVES: Purpose of the study was to determine the incidence of aberrant phenotypes in North East Indian patients with acute leukemia. METHODS: We analysed a total of 100 cases (AML = 36, ALL = 61, MPAL = 3) by multiparametric flow cytometry using an acute panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). The MoAbs were selected to identify differentiation-associated antigens of both myeloid and lymphoid lineages. RESULTS: Aberrant phenotypes were found in 21 (58.3%) cases of AML, 36 (59.2%) cases of B-ALL and 6 (66.7%) cases of T-ALL. CD7 was the most frequent lymphoid associated antigen found in 33% of AML cases while CD117 was the myeloid antigen most frequently detected in ALL (54%) cases. Aberrant expression of CD 117 is highly significant by Fischer's exact test (P< 0.0001). CONCLUSION: We conclude that aberrant phenotypes are present in a great majority of acute leukemia patients of North East India. Future studies will be directed to correlate of these markers with prognosis and therapeutic response.

Characteristics of oral tongue and base of the tongue cancer: a hospital cancer registry based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tongue cancer is one of the leading sites of cancer in our population. AIM: To evaluate the socio-demographic profiles and stages at diagnosis of oral tongue (OT) and base of tongue (BT) cancers, and identify any possible variations in characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on tongue cancer cases, divided into OT and BT, registered at the hospital cancer registry of North-East India during January 2010 to May 2013. Cases were analyzed for age, gender, residential status and different levels of education for patients, the stage at diagnosis and presence of distant metastasis. RESULTS: A total of 1,113 cases of tongue cancers were registered, 846(76.1%) of BT and 267(23.9%) of OT. While 33.9% of BT cancer patients were above 65 years of age, the figure for OT cancers was 18.4%, stages III and IV accounting for 90.8% and 77%, respectively. The relative risk for distant metastasis in OT cancers was 3.3 (95% CI 1.08-10.1, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In the subsites of tongue cancers in our population, the majority arose from the base of tongue, these tending to occur in older individuals and presenting at late stage.