Oral cancer at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi

Background: The epidemiology of oral cancer in the African population is still uncertain. Earlier reports suggested a relatively low incidence of oral cancer among Africans. However, there have been recent reports of an upward trend in the incidence of oral cancers in developing countries as a consequence of changes in life style and the emergence of new diseases. It is, therefore, reasonable to expect changes in the pattern of oral cancer in Kenya in view of these changes. Objective: To determine changes in the pattern of oral cancer in the past 20 years. Design: Retrospective descriptive study. Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. Method: Pathology records of cases of oral cancer diagnosed at Kenyatta National Hospital from 1978 to 1997 were analysed for relative frequency, age, sex and site distribution. Results: Of a total 22,788 malignancies 821 cases (3.6%) were oral cancer. Yearly relative frequency of oral cancer ranged between 1.5% of the total malignancies. There was a small male predominance (M:F = 1.3:1). The most preferred site for oral cancer was the tongue but with a significant number involving the maxilla and mandible. Comparison with a previous study did not demonstrate a dramatic change in the pattern of oral cancer in Kenya. An overall gradual decline of cancers diagnosed at Kenyatta National Hospital was noted. This decline could not be accounted for in this study. Conclusion: This study does not show any increase in the frequency or change in the pattern of oral cancer in this population despite changes in life style and the emergence of AIDS disease in the country.