METHODS: A retrospective record review was conducted from August to December 2006 in HUSM. Of 133 patients with oral cancer diagnosed from 1986 to 2005, 118 were Malay. Data on socio-demographic background, high-risk habits practiced, clinical and histological characteristics, and treatment profile of the patients were obtained.
RESULTS: Malay patients with oral cancer were predominantly elderly, aged 60 years old and above (51.7%) at the time of diagnosis, with a mean age of 58.1 years (SD 16.81). Most patients were males (64.4%) and the majority of them were married (83.9%). More than half (58.5%) had been smokers, and of those who smoked, 89.9% were males. Some had a betel quid chewing habit (22.9%) but none ever consumed alcohol. The majority of the patients (77.1%) were diagnosed at stage IV. The tongue was the most usual site involved (37.3%) and squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological type seen (75.4%).
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of oral cancer among Malay patients in HUSM is high (88.7%). It is predominantly found in elderly males and the majority of cases present at advanced stage.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is an audit of an 18-year period where 173 lesions of the parotid gland (34 malignant and 139 benign lesions) were treated by the author.
RESULTS: There were 139 benign lesions, of which 123 were benign tumours and 16 non-tumour conditions. Fourteen cases of recurrent pleomorphic adenoma of parotid that had been treated elsewhere were also operated on. Near-total parotidectomy was performed on all these cases with benign lesions.
CONCLUSIONS: There has been no recurrence in all the patients who was treated this way. Near-total parotidectomy should be considered when there is a need to treat benign parotid swellings.