Distribution of malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity in Ecuador: an epidemiological study from 2015 to 2019

<jats:p>Introduction Malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity represent a public health problem worldwide with an increasing incidence, especially in young populations. In Ecuador, the epidemiology of these conditions has been little studied, limiting timely diagnosis and management. The study aims to identify the distribution of hospitalizations and deaths from oral cavity malignant neoplasms in Ecuador during the pre-pandemic years, from 2015 to 2019, describing spatiotemporal patterns by province, gender, and age.

Methods An observational and descriptive study was conducted using the database of hospitalizations and deaths of the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Ecuador. Variables such as age, gender, province, and location of the neoplasms were analyzed, and frequencies, proportions, and crude rates were calculated.

Results Between 2015 and 2019, 4444 hospitalizations and 726 deaths were reported, with a notable increase in 2019. Males predominated in all the studied years. Malignant neoplasms of unspecified sites and other sites of the tongue had the highest frequency of cases and deaths. Geographically, the provinces of Loja, El Oro, Cañar, Carchi, and Bolivar had the highest rates.

Conclusions The study shows an increase in hospitalizations and deaths due to malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity between 2015 and 2019, highlighting the urgency of implementing public health strategies aimed at prevention, early detection, and timely treatment of this disease.</jats:p>