1Professor / HOD Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan
2Master Health Administration (Department Business and Communication), INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia
3House Officer Dentistry, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
4Prosthodontist, Diplomate, American Board of Oral Implantology / Implant Dentistry, Dr. Irfan Qureshi's Team of Professionals, Karachi, Pakistan
5Assistant Professor, Oral Pathology, Islamic International Dental College & Hospital, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
6Assistant Professor (Oral Medicine), Multan Medical and Dental College, Multan, Pakistan
Background: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent malignancy with high recurrence rates, significantly impacting survival and quality of life in affected patients. Surgical treatment is the primary approach, yet recurrence remains common, influenced by various clinical and pathological factors.
Objective: To analyze the factors influencing recurrence rates in surgically treated OSCC patients and identify significant predictors of recurrence to guide treatment and follow-up strategies.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed the records of 345 OSCC patients who underwent surgical treatment in Ziauddin Hospital Karachi and Jinnah Hospital Karachi from March 2022 to August 2025. Patient demographics, tumor-specific characteristics (size, stage, depth of invasion, lymph node involvement, and histological grade), and treatment details (surgical margins, adjuvant therapy) were reviewed. Recurrence rates were calculated, and statistical analyses, including multivariate logistic regression, were used to identify significant predictors of recurrence.
Results: As tumor stage progresses from Stage I to Stage IV, there is a noticeable increase in the percentage of poorly differentiated tumors, rising from 20% in Stage I to 39% in Stage IV. This trend indicates that tumors tend to become less differentiated, or more aggressive, as they advance. Similarly, the proportion of moderately differentiated tumors also increases, from 15% in Stage I to 30% in Stage IV. In contrast, well-differentiated tumors, which are generally less aggressive, are relatively lower in percentage across all stages but show a gradual increase from 10% in Stage I to 22% in Stage IV.
Conclusion: It is concluded that OSCC recurrence is multifactorial, with patient, tumor, and treatment-related factors playing crucial roles. Tailoring postoperative management based on these risk factors, along with lifestyle interventions, may reduce recurrence rates and improve patient outcomes. Future studies should explore molecular markers and novel therapies to further refine individualized treatment approaches.
Keywords: Oral cancer, Recurrence, Surgical treatment, Tumor stage, Histological grade, tobacco use
How to cite this article: Wahab NU, Ashiq MA, Hanif M, Qureshi I, Shafiq S, Asghar F. Factors Influencing Recurrence Rates of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Surgically Treated Patients: A Retrospective Study in Pakistan. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(10s): 61. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.10s.8
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None