Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Right Buccal Mucosa: A Case Report.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is indeed one of the most common types of oral cancer, typically affecting individuals over the age of 50. It primarily originates from the squamous epithelial cells lining the oral cavity. While it is relatively rare in individuals under 40 years old, it can still occur, albeit less frequently in that age group. Risk factors for developing OSCC include tobacco use (smoking or chewing), excessive alcohol consumption, chronic irritation (such as from poorly fitting dentures), human papillomavirus (HPV), infection, and certain dietary foods. Early detection and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes and reducing the mortality associated with this type of cancer. This report describes a case of OSCC, staged T2 N0 M0, involving the right buccal mucosa of a 51-year-old male patient. The patient reported intense pain in an ulcer on the right side of his cheek. This report focuses on the etiological factors and a brief literature review of squamous cell carcinoma.

Self-reported perspectives, Lived experiences and Assessment of COVID-19 survivors in India from media and social media during Nationwide lockdown: A Preliminary study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a tremendous threat as a rapidly spreading disease, and has significant consequences on the global public health in particular to the psychological aspect of the survivors. The lived experiences require urgent documentation to tailor-make psychiatric assessments and long-term follow-ups. Aim: To explore adolescents' self-reported perspectives and lived experiences during their COVID-19 illness which was voluntarily shared through media and social media platforms during the nationwide lockdown in India. Methods: Being a preliminary study, the sample size was calculated as 20 based on similar studies in the literature. Voluntarily shared data of COVID-19 survivors were extracted from media and social media. Based on the data, an assessment sheet was prepared, pre-tested and shared with three observers via convenient sampling. Results: Male predominance was noted. The mean age was found to be 39.5 years. English was the most commonly uploaded language to communicate suffering. Instagram and YouTube were the most prevalent social media sites for self-reported experiences. The most prevalent physical symptom was fever and cough. Stress, anxiety and stigmatization were more commonly reported. Statistical significance was obtained between fear and end of life, depression and suicide, pain and isolation and worried with insomnia. Conclusion: COVID-19 not only affects physical health but also takes a toll on the mental health of the patients. There is a high prevalence rate of psychological distress among COVID-19 survivors, and we recommend a formal psychiatric assessment and long-term follow-up to understand the unique challenges faced by the COVID-19 survivors, with effective communication and empathy towards them.

Tongue Lesions as an Oral Diagnostic Challenge for a Primary Care Physician- A Clinical Case series.

Tongue acts as a mirror of our body. Diagnosis of tongue lesions is challenging to primary physicians as they might be the first sign or may be a part of underlying systemic diseases. Knowledge on the lesions of tongue is necessary for oral and overall health planning and education. Hence, this article illustrates a clinical case series of tongue lesions among a rural population in south Chennai, thus imparting a higher awareness of the specific tongue pathology-related etiology and management to increase the awareness on thorough oral screening including detailed assessment of tongue and provide a holistic care to patients to improve the Oral health related and Overall quality of life of patients (OHRQOL/QOL).

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Post COVID-19 Vaccine Shot: An Autobiographical Case Report.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a pathological exaggeration caused by trauma from injections and vaccine administration characterized by severe pain (often burning), hyperesthesia, allodynia, edema, vasomotor changes, decreased range of motion, hyperhidrosis, and trophic changes. It occurs at all ages with female predominance, and the incidence increases until late middle age. Hand and foot involvement is well recognized, and this may spread proximally. Treatment usually requires a multimodal approach, including medications and physical and cognitive therapy. Reports of CRPS after vaccination are rare. The incidence of CRPS post coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is not yet reported. This case report describes my experience with deltoid hematoma, tennis elbow, and living with CRPS post COVID-19 vaccine shot, including the psychosocial adaptations I made in my day-to-day life.

Communication, Counseling and Compassionate Care: The least explored and challenging Palliative Care approaches among Primary Care Physicians - Clinical Case series of Oral Potentially malignant disorders in Tamil Nadu.

BACKGROUND: Globally, the sixth most common malignancy is oral cancer, which is predominantly due to consumption of potent, proven carcinogens which includes smoking and smokeless form of tobacco and areca nut. Habits associated oral malignancies are mostly preceded by clinically asymptomatic oral lesions collectively referred under the umbrella term as oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). There is a delayed presentation of oral pre cancer and oral cancer in India, as approximately 50% of patients are diagnosed at last stage since the asymptomatic pre cancer lesions are missed by oral physicians/dentists either due to lack of timely communication and habit counseling, lack of knowledge, or inappropriate attitude, putting all in a nut shell --- sheer lack of empathy and commitment towards patient care and society. Early diagnosis greatly increases patient's chances of survival. Patient awareness is much spoken in literature; however, the flip side of the coin lies within the attitude of the primary care physician. They play a pivotal role in effective communication and timely counseling of patients with OPMDs and should prevent malignant transformation to improve quality of life of patients. Poor compliance to attend for oral cancer screening links to the attitude and ignorance of the primary care physician. Palliative care concepts should be integrated to dentistry especially to oral medicine speciality. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The author believes that the three most important, least explored and challenging palliative care approaches namely, "Communication," "Counseling," and "Compassionate care," should be effectively practiced by a primary care physician, to improve their level of commitment to society and attitude towards patient care which can help in early diagnosis of OPMDs and decreased incidence of oral cancer, thus improving quality of life of patients.

Curcumin on Camphor-Induced Chemical Burn on the Palate: Report of a Peculiar Self-Inflicted Case.

Intraoral soft tissue injuries occur due to physical, chemical, or thermal agents, which may present as ulcerations, burns, desquamation, and gingival recession. Camphor is one such substance easily available in many Indian households and is not a very well-recognized potentially fatal toxic compound. Here, we report the first case of an intraoral soft-tissue burn in a geriatric female, as a result of direct injury to tissues due to the application of crushed camphor powder to manage tooth pain at home, which was successfully treated with 2% Curcuma longa. Health care professionals must be aware of the presentation and extent of injury that can be caused by camphor when placed on intraoral soft tissues. Awareness among the public and professionals must be created in order to avoid any potential mortality. The diagnostician must consider the possibility of a chemical agent, such as camphor, as a potential source of the oral mucosal injury.

Topical Curcumin and Triamcinolone Acetonide in Recurrent Minor Aphthous Ulcers: A Pilot Trial.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of topical curcumin and topical triamcinolone acetonide in a professional population with minor aphthous ulcers by assessing six clinical variables: site, size, pain, healing period, frequency of recurrence and number of ulcers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, parallel designed pilot trial was performed on 60 symptomatic individuals with minor aphthous ulcer. Willing participants were allocated randomly into group I and group II. Participants in group I were treated with topical curcumin and group II were treated with topical triamcinolone acetonide for a period of 6 months. All participants were blinded to the drug they received. Participants were assessed on day 1, day 3, day 5, day 7, and after healing for symptomatic reduction in pain, size, healing period, frequency of recurrence, and in the number of ulcers. Statistically, independent sample t test, Chi-square test, and Log rank Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were performed. RESULTS: Lower labial mucosa was found to be the predominant site of minor aphthous ulcer in both the groups. A gradual reduction in pain and size was noted in both the groups with statistical significance of p value <0.001. All the ulcers in both the groups healed completely without scarring within 2 weeks with statistical significance. In both the treatment groups, new ulcers occurred throughout the follow-up period of 6 months. The mean number of the ulcers are statistically not significant with p value >0.05. CONCLUSION: Our study showed clinically beneficial effects with topical curcumin with regard to ulcer size, pain, healing, and recurrence rate. Also topical curcumin gel was well tolerated and performed ot par with topical triamcinolone acetonide oral paste with a borderline favorable result with triamcinolone. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Curcumin can be safely recommended on a long-term basis as a more appealing therapeutic agent and is a better alternative choice for aphthous ulcers in children, pregnant woman, lactating mother, and in immunocompromised individuals.

Tobacco Awareness with Socioeconomic Status and Pictorial Warning in Tobacco Cessation: An Exploratory Institutional Survey in a Semi-urban Population.

AIM: To explore the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) and/on the awareness of ill effects of tobacco on oral and general health and to evaluate the effectiveness of pictorial warning on tobacco cessation in a semi-urban population of South Chennai. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey for 1 week was conducted using a two-stage sampling design, with a sample size of 300. New op patients constitute the first sampling design, and patients with history of any form of tobacco constituted second sampling design for the second part of the study. Following an informed consent in patient's own language, and as per inclusion criteria's, new op patient was interviewed with questionnaire 1, which comprised 27 closed-ended questions to assess subject's general awareness on tobacco, awareness of ill effects of tobacco on oral and general health, and their SES. Sociodemographic information such as age, sex, marital status, occupation, address, educational level, and family income per month was also recorded. Response categories for each of the questions were "yes", "no", and "don't know". The Questionnaire-2 comprised 8 closed-ended questions that assessed the subject's willingness to quit and to evaluate the effectiveness of pictorial warning on tobacco cessation, which was subjected only to those patients who had a history of tobacco usage which was recorded after completing the Questionnaire-1. This group formed the secondary sampling unit. Questionnaire-2 also included an individual suggestion for the preference of type of warning sign on the tobacco packet/sachet in the end. Statistically, Cronbach's α coefficient, one-way analysis of variance, Tukey HSD post hoc tests, and Chi-square test were used. RESULTS: On the whole, this study reported good awareness about harmful effects of tobacco. In all, 33.2% of respondents could not change after noticing the warning ads, 90.3% of our respondents are not aware that a professional help is available to motivate quitting. Smokers were more aware than smokeless tobacco users, and tobacco users recommended a greater area to be covered for pictorial warnings and to increase the frequency to change the pictorial warning signs. CONCLUSION: Alarmingly high statistics and delayed presentation of oral and health hazards at the time of primary diagnosis underscores the need for an extensive awareness campaign on the issues related to ill effects of tobacco more focused on tobacco user's perspective and feedback. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Health awareness programs related to awareness of ill effects of tobacco should be tailor-made to the targeted population and should be more focused on the control of specific risk factors. Health warnings on tobacco packages that combine text and pictures, along with the frequent role of impact of mass media and campaigns on mouth self-examination and improvement in quality of life can effectively increase the general public awareness of the serious and deleterious health risks of tobacco use and to reduce its consumption.

Dentist's Delay or Dexterity to Diagnose the Deadly: A Clinico-radiological Series of Oral Malignancies Exhibiting Varied Presentations in the Tamil Nadu Rural Belt.

Oral cancer is the sixth most common malignancy globally with a wide geographic variation. India is the second largest consumer and third largest producer of tobacco in the world. One-third of the global burden of oral cancer is predominantly attributed to high prevalence of tobacco consumption. The highest incidence and prevalence of oral squamous cell carcinoma is found in the Indian subcontinent particularly in the lower socioeconomic strata, due to an increase in the deleterious habits of potent, proven carcinogens like smoking, chewing tobacco, betel quid and areca-nut. Also, there is a delayed presentation of oral cancer in India, as approximately 50% of patients are diagnosed at stage III or IV. In this article, we report five varied presentations of well differentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma from rural belt of Tamil Nadu. All the cases were reported late to diagnose. Clinical and radiological staging plays a pivotal role to stage an oral malignant patient which aids in guiding him to a proper treatment plan. Early diagnosis along with patient counselling is of vital importance for the prognosis of the patients with oral malignancies. Also, it is an utmost important duty of the health care professionals to create awareness on oral cancer especially in rural areas. For this reason, dentists play a very significant role in the early detection and prevention of oral malignancies.

Tooth and Advanced Oral Submucous Fibrosis Obscuring Buccal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a leading cause of mortality due to late diagnosis in India and most other developing countries. Buccal squamous cell carcinoma is almost always preceded by premalignant conditions that include leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral lichen planus, and submucous fibrosis of the oral cavity. Hence, these patients warrant regular screening by oral health care professionals and proper monitoring for any dysplastic changes. Implementing social awareness about early signs and symptoms, as well as education on self-oral screening methods so as to avoid the risk of late presentation of oral squamous cell carcinoma, should be made mandatory for such individuals to prevent further complications.