Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in A Younger Woman with Lack of Known Risk Factors

Abstract

Background: Oral ulcer is a common oral mucosal lesion and arguably the most challenging one to manage because of its various predisposing factors. The public refers to all types of ulcers in the oral cavity as stomatitis, although it can lead to various diagnoses, including malignancy. Case Presentation: This case report aims to discuss obstacles in diagnosis for a case formerly underdiagnosed as stomatitis in a young adult woman with a definitive diagnosis at the end as squamous cell carcinoma of the left tongue. Case management: Initial therapy involves eliminating the infection, which is achieved through local therapy using antiseptic mouthwash combined with chlorine dioxide gel to reduce the size of the lesion and alleviate the pain. During the second visit, there was a significant improvement in the ulcer size, but the area of induration persisted. The patient was then educated and informed about the suspicion of malignancy and referred for a biopsy. Conclusion: Oral ulcer presented with induration should be managed immediately, including referral for biopsy of the lesion and symptomatic relief. Although the ulcer significantly improved in size after infection control, the induration presented should raise suspicion of malignancy, and a biopsy is mandatory to obtain a definitive diagnosis without delay.