Oral cavity pathologies in patients of the Doctor Arnulfo Arias Madrid Hospital Complex, Panama (2021-2024).
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Abstract
Background: Biopsies confirm the nature of oral cavity lesions. In clinical series, benign lesions predominate and, among malignant lesions, squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent diagnosis.
Objective: to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of lesions diagnosed by biopsy at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service of the Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid Hospital Complex between 2021 and 2024.
Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study is conducted. A total of 231 biopsies from the telepathology system and electronic medical records are analyzed, considering demographic and clinical variables, biopsy type, anatomical location, comorbidities, and histopathological diagnosis. Analysis is performed using Epi Info 7.2.7.
Results: benign lesions predominate (82.25 %), followed by malignant (15.15 %) and premalignant lesions (2.60 %). Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignant neoplasm. The mandible is the most common anatomical location (29.87 %), followed by the tongue (15.58 %) and maxilla (13.42 %). Excisional biopsy is the most commonly used technique (70.13 %), but incisional biopsy accounts for most malignant lesions (88.57 %) and all premalignant lesions. At least one comorbidity is present in 55.84 % of cases, predominantly cardiovascular (37.66 %) and endocrine (11.26 %).
Conclusion: benign diagnoses predominate, and a higher proportion of malignancy is observed in the tongue and maxilla. Incisional biopsy is preferentially used in lesions suspicious for malignancy. This study provides a local reference for early detection and therapeutic planning.
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