PITFALLS IN THE CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS OF ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) may have several clinical manifestations, which can be confused with other more common lesions found in the oral cavity, delaying diagnoses and treatment, consequently worsening prognoses. We present two clinical cases of patients diagnosed with OSCC and no previous history of smoking or alcoholism. A 74-year-old man presented a small, symptomatic white plaque on the right lateral border of the tongue for 3 months. The initial diagnosis was frictional keratosis due to close contact to the lower second molar. The other patient was a 51-year-old man with symptomatic red area on the gingiva with 3 years of evolution. Initial clinical diagnosis was a possible lichen planus. Both patients underwent incisional biopsy, confirming the diagnosis of OSCC. In summary, it is important to recognize the different aspects of OSCC and establish the diagnosis as soon as possible, since clinical stages are directly related to prognoses. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) may have several clinical manifestations, which can be confused with other more common lesions found in the oral cavity, delaying diagnoses and treatment, consequently worsening prognoses. We present two clinical cases of patients diagnosed with OSCC and no previous history of smoking or alcoholism. A 74-year-old man presented a small, symptomatic white plaque on the right lateral border of the tongue for 3 months. The initial diagnosis was frictional keratosis due to close contact to the lower second molar. The other patient was a 51-year-old man with symptomatic red area on the gingiva with 3 years of evolution. Initial clinical diagnosis was a possible lichen planus. Both patients underwent incisional biopsy, confirming the diagnosis of OSCC. In summary, it is important to recognize the different aspects of OSCC and establish the diagnosis as soon as possible, since clinical stages are directly related to prognoses.