Introduction: Oropharyngeal cancer is a worldwide health issue. Traditionally, alcohol and tobacco
consumption are considered the primary risk factors for this disease. However, recent
studies suggest that a change in the epidemiologic profile of this disease is currently
under way, mainly because of the emergence of a new risk factor: human papillomavirus
infection.
Objectives: This study aims to understand to what extent this change has occurred in the state
of Piaui, we set out to study the epidemiologic profile of oropharyngeal cancer.
Methods: Our study was based on collecting data from medical records of all the patients diagnosed
with oropharyngeal cancer in two hospitals in Teresina, Piaui, from January 2011 to
December 2013. Quantitative data were presented using medium ± standard deviation
and qualitative data were presented using proportions. Difference between groups was
investigated by analysis of variance and possible association between variables by
chi-square test.
Results: Overall 86 patients were eligible to participate in this study, the majority being
male (72.9%), and frequent users of alcohol or tobacco or both (75.3%), with ages
varying more frequently from 40 to 80 years (81.2%). Well-differentiated tumors were
more common (43.8%). Gender and use of alcohol or tobacco were not associated with
tumor differentiation or T-classification at diagnosis. Age of diagnosis was associated
with T-classification, however, with T1-stage patients having a higher age.
Conclusions: Until today, there has been no significant shift in the epidemiological aspects of
oropharyngeal carcinoma in the state of Piaui.
