INTRODUCTION: Oral cavity cancer is frequent. Prognosis of this cancer is closely linked to the development. Although the oral cavity is a potentially accessible site for examination, up to 50% of oral cancers are not detected until the disease is well advanced.PATIENTS AND METHOD: In a region where incidence rate is particularly high, local teams involved in screening, in epidemiological survey, in diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer performed a pilot feasibility study to improve strategy of early detection of oral cancer and premalignant lesion. Tobacco venders were solicited to distribute a flyer, which invite smokers to a free examination by general practitioner. General practitioners were invited to examine smokers, and to fill a predeterminate systematic oral cavity examination record during 3 months. They were asked to refer to a specialist if there was a potentially malignant disorder.RESULTS: The involvement of tobacco venders was rated as 67.3%. Ninety-three patients were included in 3 months. General practitioners referred 27% of the examinated patients. Among them, only 63.6% really saw a specialist, and a premalignant lesion was confirmed in 15.3%; further exams were carried out in 28.6%; a benign lesion was diagnosed in 57.1%.DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Original incentives for oral cavity screening were performed, based on multidisciplinary network. Nevertheless, it remains hardship to reach the targeted population and to maintain the patients in health system.
Adult Aged