Changing trends in oral cancer.

CONTEXT: No study highlighting the incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in young adults has been reported from North Kerala until now. AIMS: To study the cases of OSCC reported at our institution, with emphasis on the clinicopathologic variables in young adults. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a retrospective study of OSCC cases reported from 2002 to 2007. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of oral cancer cases reported between 2002 and 2007 were retrieved from the records. The cases in patients below 40 years of age formed a separate study group. The data obtained was tabulated and comparisons drawn on the observed variables between the two groups. RESULTS: Results showed a high incidence of OSCC among young adults. The demographic and anatomic location of these cases showed significant variations from cases of oral cancer in older patients. In addition, a significant number of these cases failed to show any relation with the commonly implicated etiologic agents of oral cancer. CONCLUSION: The findings of our study indicate a high incidence of oral cancer among young adults in our region. The tongue is the most common site in these cases with a significant number showing no possible etiological factors.

Squamous cell carcinoma of tongue in a 19-year-old female.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm of the Oral Cavity, usually affecting individuals over 50 years of age. It rarely occurs in patients who are less than 40 years old (0.4-5.5%). However, since it is so rare, when cases occur they are often misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated leading to delay in definitive treatment. This report describes a case of squamous cell carcinoma, involving the posterolateral border of the tongue of a 19-year-old female patient, with no deleterious habits usually associated with oral cancer. This report focuses on the etiological factors and prognosis related to the case. Additionally, a brief literature review regarding squamous cell carcinoma in young patients is also included.