Aim: To determine the frequency of occurrence and the distribution of different oral malignant lesions in a sample of patients in the north of Iraq. Materials and Methods: This study including the reviewof 6603 patients’ files with different types of malignant tumors of the body between the years 1995– 1999 and the cases affecting the oral cavity were isolated and undergo descriptive statistical analysis.Results: From the 6603 patients’ files reviewed, only 119 cases (2%) had malignant lesions of the oral cavity with age range between 2.5–90 years and the mean of age was 58.3 years. Male:female ratio was 1.2:1. Squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant tumor of the oral cavity. Lower lip was the most commonly affected site by the oral cancer. Conclusion: Oral cancer included many types of tumors but the predominant type is the squamous cell carcinoma that takes many forms. Although it show high occurrence over the age of 40 years but it may occur at any age and sex. The other types of cancer although they are rare in the oral cavity but they should be taken in consideration during diagnosis oforal cancer.

Oral malignancies --- oral lesions

Background: The aim of study was to find out the prevalence of oral mucosallesions in patients who are attending the oral diagnosis department of the Collegeof Dentistry – Basrah University and compare it with the prevalence rates ofthese lesions in other parts of Iraq.Materials and Method: Oral examination of 2318 outpatients, 1202 females (51.8%)and 1116 males (48.2%). The patient's age ranged between 9-74 years. All thepatients of this study referred to oral diagnosis department, College of Dentistry,Basrah University seeking for dental treatment (from October 2010-May 2011).Results: Among the 2318 patients, only 206 patients (8.8%) had oral lesions. 115males had oral lesion constituted 4.9% of total examined patients, while 91females had oral lesion constituted 3.9%. The age range of the patients wasbetween 9-74 years.Oral lesions were more prevalent among males (4.9%) than females (3.9%), andthere was significant statistical difference between males and females. Orallesions were classified according to the following 4 categories: ulcerated lesions(3.84%), benign lesions (2.93%) ,white lesions (1.12%) and candidiasis (0.99%),The most common oral lesion of the studied populations were the ulceratedlesions, which diagnosed in (3.8%).There were a significant statistical differencebetween males and females in the traumatic ulcer, lichen planus, pyogenicgranuloma and peripheral giant cell granuloma.Conclusions: This study has provided information about the epidemiologic aspects oforal mucosal lesions that may prove valuable in planning of future oral healthstudies.

Keywords: Oral mucosal lesions --- Oral diseases --- prevalence.

Background: Halitosis represents a common dental condition, although sufferers are often not conscious of it. It iscommon among humans around the world and is usually caused by an accumulation of bacteria in the mouth as aresult of gum disease, food, or plaque. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of oral hygiene practices,smoking habits and halitosis among undergraduate dental students and correlate the oral hygiene practices, oralhealth conditions to the prevalence of self perceived oral malodor.Materials and Methods: Clinical examination of 250 dental students and a self-administered questionnaire wereincluded in this study. A questionnaire was developed to assess the self-reported perception of oral breath,awareness of bad breath, timing of bad breath, oral hygiene practices, caries and bleeding gums, dryness of themouth, smoking and tongue coating.Results: The results indicated that female students had better oral hygiene practices. Significantly less self-reportedoral bad breath (P = 0.000) was found in female dental students (40%) as compared to male (70%). It was found thatsmoking had statistically highly significant correlation with halitosis (P = 0.000). Presence of other oral conditions suchas dental caries and filled carious lesions also showed higher prevalence of halitosis in dental students.Conclusion Oral hygiene practices and oral health conditions are very important factors in halitosis. Femalesexhibited better oral hygiene practices and less prevalence of halitosis as compared to male students

Halitosis --- oral hygiene --- oral malodor --- smoking

A total of (1425) cases of histologically diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma collected from the main centers of pathology in Iraq were analyzed according to age, sex, site, patient complain at time of presentation and histological grading Patients at their fin decade of life were the most commonly affected with males to females ratio of (2:1). Lower lip was the most commonly affected site followed by the tongue. The most common clinical complain was ulceration and swelling. More than (70%) of the cases were well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The authors emphasize on the need for interprofessionalhealth care delivery approaches for reducing oral cancer mortality and improving patient's quality of life.

Oral cancer --- oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Oral tumors are one of the most challenging tumors regarding their good prognosis in early diagnosis and very difficult control in advancing stages.Objectives: To study the prevalence, types and clinical presentation of oral tumors in comparison to other oral lesions among patients attending ENT clinic.Al-Kindy Col Med J 2008 Vol.5(1) 1 1 Original ArticleMethods: This study included 534 patients with differentoral complains attending ENT clinics in AI-YarmoukTeaching Hospital, and AI-Kindy Teaching Hospital -Baghdad, in the period from 1st jan1999 till 31th des 2006 (8years interval).Results: The results of this study showed that the prevalence of malignant lesions was 13.5% (72 out of 534); the males constitute 59.7 % of them. Premalignant lesions constitute only 3.9% (21 out of 534) of patients; the males constitute 66.7 % of them. Benign lesions in 8.6% (46 out of 534); the males constitute 69.6 % of them. Other lesions constitute 74% (395 out of 534); the males constitute 65.8 % of them. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor (found in 71% of malignant lesions).Conclusions: Most patients are males and the most common manifestation is sore throat. The most common sign of presentation is swelling and the most common histological type of malignant tumors is squamous cell carcinoma (71%). These patients usually attend ENT clinic seeking for simple therapy, we see that it’s the job of the otolaryngologist to diagnose those patients early which has a major influence on prognosis.Key words:

Oral --- tumors --- ENT clinic.