Epidemiological Patterns of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Variants in the Libyan Population: A 20-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common oral malignancy, accounting for more than 90% of all forms of oral cancer. This study aimed to determine the frequency and distribution of oral squamous cell carcinoma in the Libyan population, considering histological variants and grades. A retrospective analysis of all cases biopsied and diagnosed from 2000 to 2019 in the Department of Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Diagnosis, and Radiology was conducted. Information on the patient’s age and gender, tumour type, grade, and its anatomical site was recorded and analyzed.  During the study period, 105 biopsies were histologically confirmed as oral squamous cell carcinoma. Males were more commonly affected than females, giving a male-to-female ratio of 1.67:1. Most patients were older than 50, with a mean age of 57.63 ± 14.569 years. The Lateral border of the tongue was the most common site for the lesion (39%), followed by the buccal mucosa (19%). The most common histological subtype was conventional oral squamous cell carcinoma (90%), primarily well and moderately differentiated. The other histological variants were uncommon (N=8): 4 cases of verrucous carcinoma, 2 of adenosquamous carcinoma, and 2 of spindle cell carcinoma. In conclusion, oral squamous cell carcinoma constituted a considerable proportion of oral and maxillofacial lesions, with the conventional type being the most common. A higher proportion has been noted in males aged 50 years and older, with the lateral border of the tongue being the most affected site.