SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK, RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 1011 CASES IN BASRAH PROVINCE

Sudad A. Al-Nakshabndi*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Head and neck cancers of the (oral cavity, pharynx and larynx) make a big contribution to the burden of cancers in developing countries. They constitute 7% of all cancer patients in Turkey, 11% in Saudia Arabia, and the incidence is also high in Yemen (Hajjah). In Iraq head and neck cancers show high incidence. It constitute 10% of the total cancer cases according to Iraqi cancer registry, laryngeal cancer was found to be the 5^th commonest cancer in Iraq during the period (1995-1997). Scc was found to be the most common histological type of the head and neck cancers.

Aim of study: This study is a descriptive analysis of 1011 cases of Scc of the head and neck in Basrah in the different periods (1994-1990) and (1991-2000)

Materials and Methods: Histopathological reports of 1011 patients of Scc of the head and neck diagnosed in the pathology department of Basrah Saddam Teaching  hospital and Al-Wiswasy private laboratory from 1984-2000 were retrospectively evaluated.

The patients were classified in two different periods (1984- 1990), (1991-2000) according to their age, sex, primary tumour localization.

Result:   Out of the 1011 patients of Scc of the head and neck diagnosed, there were 763 (75.5%) male and 248 (24.5%) female with a male to female ratio of 3:1. the commonest primary tumour localization was the larynx 560 cases (55.4%). The peak age incidence for all primary localization was observed in the 6^th decade the total numbers of the cancer cases in the 2^nd period were more than the 1^st period with arises of 50%.

Conclusion:

 1- In this study there is percentage rise of 50% of the total malignant cases and 54 percentage of the laryngeal Scc in the 2^nd period.

 2- This increase in the incidence of this total malignant cases, may not reflect true increase in the incidence, because we don't have any idea about the real total population in Basrah in the 1^st period and 2^nd period.

  In the 1^st period, most of the people emigrated from Basrah, because of Iraqi – Iranian war.

 In the 2^nd period, most of the patients return to Basrah, and also there is increase in the awarness of people about cancer, because of increase in the number of new cancer cases due to effects of radiation of depleted uranium used by U.S.A and U.K military forceces against Iraq in 1991 war.    

*MBChB, MSc, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Basrah, Iraq