Treatment Patterns and Survival of Patients With Oral Cavity Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, 2022–2024
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Date
2025
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Addis Ababa Uinverstiy
Abstract
Oral cavity cancer is an important cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with a Disproportionate burden and late presentation in low- and middle-income countries. There is limited published data in the field from Ethiopia. This study aimed to describe the clinical and pathological characteristics, treatment patterns, and survival of oral cavity cancer patients treated at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), the country’s major tertiary oncology referral center.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on all adult patients with primary oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma registered between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024, at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. Data were extracted from electronic medical records, patient charts, and radiotherapy registries. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to analyze the data, and multivariable Cox regression was used to identify independent predictors of survival.
Results: The study population had a median age of 50 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 42–58), with a male-to female ratio of 2:1. The median duration of symptoms was six months (interquartile range [IQR]: 3-12), and 43% of patients presented with oral ulcers. Most patients presented with advanced disease, with 75 (82.4%) having clinical T3–T4 tumors and 66% being node-positive. The majority had Grade 1 cancer, and higher-grade tumors were associated with a higher N stage. The oral tongue was the most frequently affected subset, Accounting for 58 (63.7%) cases. Most participants had good performance status (71, 78%), and comorbidities were uncommon (15, 16%). Treatment was multimodal in 20 (22.0%), single modality in 28 (30.8%), and palliative in 31 (34.1%). Surgery was performed in 38 (41.8%) patients, curative radiotherapy in 31 (34.1%), and concurrent chemotherapy in 19 (20.7%). The median survival was 15.5 months, with 1- and 3-year survival rates of 57.8% and 32.4%, respectively. Advanced stage at presentation and lack of multimodality treatment were identified as independent predictors of poor survival.
Conclusion: The study shows that patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma present at advanced stage. Overall survival is low and influenced by disease stage and access to curative treatment, underscoring the need for early detection, timely intervention, and improved treatment delivery in resource-limited settings
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Oral cavity squamous cell cancer oral cavity subsets treatment patterns overall Survival