Cancer of the gingiva and its survival

 The literature concerning oral cancer has emphasized lessions on different localizations with much less data with respect to primary cancer of the gingivae.The purpose of this study was a retrospective analysis of 712 cases (3,63%) of oral cancer to determine the porcentage that ocurred on the gingiva or alveolar ridge,to tabulate the mean age,gender distribution and estimate survival.The results also discusses the varied clinical appearance. Materials and Methods:All cases of gingiva/alveolar ridge cancer from january 1991 to july 2003 were retrieved from the files of School of Dentistry's Clinical and Oral Pathology at the University of Buenos Aires. Clinical histories were reviewed and data including age, sex, anatomic site, tabaco, alcohol, trauma, histologic type, TNM and clinical stage were recorded. Results:A total of 92 cases (12,9%)were identified for detailed evaluation. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)arrising on the gingivae or alveolar ridge accounted for 71,7% (66 cases) of the total, 59 cases (64,1%) occured on the mandibular gingivae and 33 cases (35,9%)on the maxillary gingivae. The mean age of all patients was 66.02. Males accounted for 48,9% and females accounted for 51%, a female-to-male ratio of 1,04:1. Other types of malignant gingival tumours were Verrucous carcinoma 4,34%,linfoma 7,6%,Verrucous+SCC 4,34%,Melanoma 2,17%,osteogenic sarcoma 1,08%,adenoidcystic carcinoma 3,26%, infiltrative squamous odontogenic tumour 1,08% and metastasis 2,17%. TNM study showed T2=48,2% and N1=52,9%.The predominant clinical stage was III. The survival test (Kaplan and Meyer) in five years was 37%. In the present study a greater number of gingival cancer were reported with poor survival. Gingival localization should be considered as higher risk areas like tongue and the floor of the mouth.