Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

Definition

A squamous cell carcinoma arising from the oral cavity. It affects predominantly adults in their fifth and sixth decades of life and is associated with alcohol and tobacco use. Human papillomavirus is present in approximately half of the cases. It is characterized by a tendency to metastasize early to the lymph nodes. When the tumor is small, patients are often asymptomatic. Physical examination may reveal erythematous or white lesions or plaques. The majority of patients present with signs and symptoms of locally advanced disease including mucosal ulceration, pain, difficulty with speaking, chewing, and swallowing, bleeding, weight loss, and neck swelling. Patients may also present with swollen neck lymph nodes without any symptoms from the oropharyngeal tumor. The most significant prognostic factors are the size of the tumor and the lymph nodes status.

Also known as mouth scc, mouth squamous cell carcinoma, oral cavity scc, oral cavity squamous cell cancer, oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, scc of mouth, scc of oral cavity, scc of the mouth, scc of the oral cavity, squamous cell carcinoma of mouth, squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity, squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth, squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity — per MONDO

Also identified as

• DOID 0050866 per MONDO
• NCIT C4833 per MONDO
• Orphanet 502363 per MONDO
• SCTID 307502000 per MONDO
• UMLS C0585362 per MONDO

Affected Organs