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Review
. 2016 Mar;37(3):249-55.
doi: 10.15537/smj.2016.3.11388.

Epidemiology of oral cancer in Arab countries

Abeer Al-Jaber  1 , Lubna Al-Nasser, Ashraf El-Metwally
Affiliations
Review

Epidemiology of oral cancer in Arab countries

Abeer Al-Jaber et al. Saudi Med J. 2016 Mar.

Abstract

Objectives: To review the oral cancer (OC) studies that were conducted in Arab countries with regard to epidemiology, risk factors, and prognosis.

Methods: A computer-based PubMed literature search was performed to retrieve studies conducted in the Arab world on epidemiology of OC. After screening for exclusion criteria, cross-referencing, and searching local journals, a total of 19 articles were included.

Results: Eight prevalence studies found an OC prevalence ranging from 1.8 to 2.13 per 100,000 persons. Oral cancer patients were mostly in their fifth to sixth decade of life, and the incidence in younger age was reported in some Arab countries. Yemenis have an alarming high prevalence of OC among people younger than 45 years. Eleven studies explored determinants or prognosis of OC. Behavioral determinants such as smokeless tobacco (Shamma and Qat), and cigarette smoking were strongly associated with OC. Alcohol drinking and solar radiation exposures were cited as possible risk factors. The most affected sites were tongue, floor of the mouth, and lower lip variations in the affected site were attributed to the socio-cultural behavior of the populations under study. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most frequently detected cancer, and usually patients were in late stages (III and IV) at the time of diagnosis.

Conclusion: No solid evidence exists regarding the true OC prevalence/incidence in most Arab countries due to the lack of national cancer registries and population-based studies.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart for research methodology in PubMed and supplementary search.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of oral cancer lesions by Arab country.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of risk factors associated with oral cancer by Arab country.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Distribution of oral cancer histological stage at the time of diagnosis by Arab country.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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