SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE TONGUE FLOOR: LITERATURE REVIEW AND CASE REPORT

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, like other oral malignant tumors, is more frequent in males over the age of 45, however, this ratio (male/female) tends to be less and less pronounced and more documented in young adults. The tongue is the site preferentially affected by this type of neoplasia, accounting for about 50% of oral carcinomas. Squamous cell carcinoma can present itself in several clinical forms, namely: exophytic, endophytic, leukoplastic, erythroplastic or erythroleukoplastic. Patients should avoid exposure to the most common risk factors: tobacco and alcohol, but other factors can lead to the appearance of potentially malignant lesions: viral infections, oral lichen planus, iron deficiencies, immunosuppression, food at extreme temperatures and traumatizing agents. Squamous cell carcinoma is often preceded by premalignant lesions, clinically detectable, but mostly asymptomatic. These lesions present in the form of leukoplakia, erythroplakia or erythroleukoplakia and whenever they are identified, an incisional biopsy should be performed to obtain a definitive histopathological diagnosis.