M Zakirulla
Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaPublications
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Research
Secondary Care Delay in Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Cancer at Asir Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia: A Case Series Study
Author(s): Hussain Almubarak, Mohammad Almagbol, Saad Albishri, Bayan Dulim, Yusra Alshahrani, Afnan Mohammed, Abdulrahman Alshehri, Ibrahim Alsharif, Sultan Mohammed Kaleem and M Zakirulla*
Background: The stage of disease at the diagnosis of oral cancer is thought to be a significant factor in prognosis and outcome. Unfortunately, we continue to diagnose almost 2/3 of these cancers at advanced stages of disease despite the ongoing research for devices/methods to aid the clinicians in detection and accurate oral mucosal lesion diagnosis. This paper explores both the nature of oral cancer and the adjuncts available for detection and presents the current issues in diagnostic delays of oral cancer detection. Aims: To estimate the professional delay between the first consultation till confirming definitive diagnosis and initiation of treatment of oral cancer patients at Asir central hospital. To determine demographic distribution, site, and stage of tumor presentation at the time of diagnosis & to determine referral time needed to refer a patient from Asir central hospit.. Read More»