Saudi Journal of Oral and Dental Research (SJODR)
Volume-11 | Issue-01 | 23-29
Original Research Article
Prevalence of Oral Cancer in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis
Turki Nasser Alotaibi, Majed Mamdouh Alshammari, Sultan Khalid Albaqawi, Manahil Abdulaziz Alnafea, Ahmad Abdulaziz Alyousuf, Abdulrahman Ibrahim Alsanea
Published : Jan. 22, 2026
Abstract
Oral cancer remains a significant public health concern globally, with varying prevalence rates across regions; however, its epidemiological profile in Saudi Arabia has not been comprehensively synthesized. This study systematically reviews and meta-analyzes the existing evidence to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of oral cancer in Saudi Arabia, thereby addressing a critical gap in the literature. We conducted a rigorous synthesis of available studies, employing random-effects models to account for heterogeneity and deriving pooled effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals. The meta-analysis revealed a significant association between demographic and risk factors and oral cancer, with an overall effect size of 1.02 (SE = 0.25, 95% CI [0.53, 1.51], z=4.11, p<1e^(-5)), indicating a substantial impact of these variables on disease prevalence. The findings highlight the importance of targeted public health interventions, particularly for high-risk populations, and underscore the need for further research to elucidate regional variations and temporal trends. This study provides a robust evidence base for policymakers and clinicians, emphasizing the urgency of early detection and prevention strategies in Saudi Arabia.