The young oral cancer patient: observations from the Hong Kong population

摘要

In view of a demonstrable worldwide increase in younger OSCC patients, global population-based studies have been recommended to improve our understanding of the nature of the disease in younger patients and to delineate more precise clinical outcomes for age related patient cohorts.' Possessing a distinct and stable geographic population, together with high standards of modern healthcare provision, Hong Kong is well placed to undertake long-term patient cohort studies examining disease risk, socioenvironmental influence and treatment efficacy.8 Cancer is now the leading cause of death in Hong Kong and OSCC, the tenth most frequent cause of cancer death in male patients, has shown a significant rise in incidence over the last few years.