School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Social Determinants and Stage at Presentation of Oral Cancer: Insights from the Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2025

Abstract

Background: This study aims to explore the social determinants of health and stage at presentation of oral cavity cancer in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), a region with significant socioeconomic and healthcare disparities. There has been no comprehensive research conducted to understand the oral cancer burden in the RGV. By filling this critical gap, the study seeks to shed light on regional challenges and inform targeted interventions to improve outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted using data from University of Texas RGV otolaryngology clinics between January 2019 and June 2022. Of 1,609 patient records reviewed, 64 cases met the inclusion criteria for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Variables collected included demographic data, cancer stage at presentation, smoking history, alcohol consumption, insurance status, and tumor location. Cancer staging was categorized using the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM system. Statistical analyses, including chi-squared and logistic regression, were used to determine associations.

Results: Patients with a history of smoking were three times more likely to present with late-stage cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 3.08, p = 0.02), while those with alcohol consumption history were 3.8 times more likely to present with advanced-stage cancer (OR = 3.86, p = 0.02) compared to those who neither smoked nor consumed alcohol, respectively. Overall, 35.9% of patients presented with stage IV cancer, and uninsured patients exclusively presented with late-stage disease. Only 20.3% of patients were diagnosed at stage I.

Conclusions: This study highlights the critical role of behaviors such as smoking and alcohol use in the late-stage presentation of oral cavity cancers in the RGV. The findings underscore the need for public health interventions, including risk behavior education, screening programs, and improved healthcare access, to reduce the burden of oral cancer in underserved populations.

Comments

Copyright of Texas Public Health Journal is the property of Texas Public Health Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.

NOT OPEN ACCESS.

First Page

7

Last Page

12

Publication Title

Texas Public Health Journal

Academic Level

faculty

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS