Investigating demographic factors and geographical information mapping (GIS) of oral cancer in Golestan Province, Iran in 2014 to 2021.

BACKGROUND

Oral cancer is among the ten most common malignancies worldwide and can be highly lethal if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Mapping the spatial and geographic distribution of this cancer can assist health authorities in planning effective prevention, control, and treatment strategies by identifying its geographic and demographic patterns. This study aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics and geographic distribution of oral cancer in Golestan Province, Iran, during the period 2014-2021.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This trend study used data from the National Cancer Registry System of Golestan Province, Iran, covering the period from 2014 to 2021. Geographic mapping of the cities in Golestan Province was performed using ArcGIS software. The annual incidence of oral cancer was calculated for each city and expressed as the number of cases per 100,000 population per year.

RESULTS

A total of 390 patients with oral cancer were identified in Golestan Province between 2014 and 2021. Of these, 200 (51.3%) were male and 190 (48.7%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 56.18 ± 17.37 years, ranging from 2 to 96 years. The standardized annual incidence rate of oral cancer in Golestan Province ranged from 4.25 to 6.75 cases per 100,000 population during the study period. Among the cities of the Province, Maraveh Tappeh showed the highest incidence rate, with an average incidence of 12.35 cases per 100,000 population.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of oral cancer in Golestan Province demonstrated temporal fluctuations during the study period, with higher rates observed in several northern cities. Geographic mapping of the disease may provide valuable insights into the potential influence of environmental, cultural, and lifestyle factors on the distribution of oral cancer and can support more targeted prevention and control strategies.