Oral Cancer in Malta

Abstract

The incidence of oral cancer is influenced by a variety of recognized contributory factors. A proportion of these factors are national habits. As a consequence the Incidence varies enormously from country to country and between different racial groups in the same country. This study, covering a four year period 1969-1972, was undertaken with a view to putting into perspective the problem of oral cancer in Malta. Oral cancer accounts for 6.2% of the total number of malignancies. This can be regarded as a relatively low percentage. A wide range of figures is reported from other countries varying between 5% and 50%. In Malta cancer of the lip is seen to account for the majority of oral tumours 55.9%. The incidence of oral malignancies is commoner in males than in females although cancer of the tongue is not uncommon in females. The relatively high incidence per 100,000 population of cancer of the lip gives cause for concern. This is no doubt due, in part, to the high level of actinic rays in the island.