LATE DIAGNOSIS OF ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: A CASE SERIES

Abstract

This study aimed to report an experience with late diagnoses in five patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Five patients (4 male and 1 female), with a mean age of 61.2 years, all smokers and drinkers, were diagnosed at an advanced stage. The locations included the lower lip, tongue, soft and hard palate, and floor, and the stagings were, respectively, T2N0MO (ECII), T3aN1MO (ECIII), T4bN2BMO (ECIVB), and T4aN3bMO. One patient was unable to obtain staging. The mean time of evolution until diagnosis was 51.8 months. The proposed treatments were surgery for 2 patients and chemotherapy/radiotherapy for 2 patients. Two patients died and three are still alive in follow-up. In conclusion, the prevention, screening, and early diagnosis programs should be intensified to avoid late diagnoses. Moreover, access to basic care should be expanded and made available in order to produce better prognoses and reduced mortality. This study aimed to report an experience with late diagnoses in five patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Five patients (4 male and 1 female), with a mean age of 61.2 years, all smokers and drinkers, were diagnosed at an advanced stage. The locations included the lower lip, tongue, soft and hard palate, and floor, and the stagings were, respectively, T2N0MO (ECII), T3aN1MO (ECIII), T4bN2BMO (ECIVB), and T4aN3bMO. One patient was unable to obtain staging. The mean time of evolution until diagnosis was 51.8 months. The proposed treatments were surgery for 2 patients and chemotherapy/radiotherapy for 2 patients. Two patients died and three are still alive in follow-up. In conclusion, the prevention, screening, and early diagnosis programs should be intensified to avoid late diagnoses. Moreover, access to basic care should be expanded and made available in order to produce better prognoses and reduced mortality.