Elwood J M, Gallagher R P
CMAJ. 1985 Oct 1;133(7):651-6.
Factors associated with stage at time of diagnosis and with interval between recognition of the first symptom and histologic diagnosis were assessed in a consecutive series of patients with primary epithelial tumours of the oral cavity. Of the 160 patients 55% had stage I or II disease. The proportion was significantly higher among patients with a high socioeconomic status, those with low levels of alcohol consumption and those who regularly received dental care. The interval between recognition of the first symptom and diagnosis was not significantly related to these factors, but it was shorter for the men. These relations were specific to the patients with cancer of the oral cavity, not being seen in those with other head and neck tumours. Dental practitioners are an important source of early diagnosis of oral cavity cancers. The impact of the disease might thus be lessened by more regular dental care.
在一系列连续性口腔原发性上皮肿瘤患者中，评估了与诊断时分期以及首次症状出现至组织学诊断之间的间隔时间相关的因素。160例患者中，55%患有I期或II期疾病。在社会经济地位高、酒精摄入量低以及定期接受牙科护理的患者中，这一比例显著更高。首次症状出现至诊断之间的间隔时间与这些因素无显著相关性，但男性的间隔时间较短。这些关系仅见于口腔癌患者，在其他头颈部肿瘤患者中未观察到。牙科医生是口腔癌早期诊断的重要来源。因此，更定期的牙科护理可能会减轻该疾病的影响。
