Histopathological study of neoplastic lesions of oral cavity and oropharynx

Background: Oral cavity and oropharynx is one of the most common sites for tumors and tumor like lesions in males especially in India. Development of lesions in this region is strongly linked with tobacco in form of smoking or chewing and alcohol consumption. Squamous cell carcinoma is single most common malignant lesion of this region. Methods: This study included 200 cases of neoplastic lesions of oral cavity and oropharynx. The study was carried out in the Department of Pathology of Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India during a period of two years from December 2013 to November 2015. Results: The results of this study showed that the prevalence of malignant lesions was 82.5% (165 out of 200); the males constitute 68.5% of them. Premalignant lesions constitute only 4% (8 out of 200); the males constitute 75 % of them. Benign lesions in 13.5% (27 out of 200); the males constitute 74.1% of them. Smoking was most common habit (31%) and buccal mucosa was most common site (18.8%) for malignant lesions. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common malignant tumor (found in 98.18% of malignant lesions). Conclusions: In our study, we concluded that majority of oral cavity and oropharyngeal lesions were malignant. Buccal mucosa was the most common site for neoplastic lesions of oral cavity and oropharynx. Carcinoma was most common, with Squamous cell carcinoma as the commonest histological variety. Any oral cavity lesion should have a tissue diagnosis for rational management of the case and to avoid mutilating surgery.