Delayed diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma: a case series

Abstract

Introduction: In malign neoplasms, oral cancer is one of the important causes of mortality and morbidity. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common form of oral cancers in adults and is related to risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.

Case presentation: In this article, we present three case reports of oral squamous cell carcinomas with delayed diagnosis. The first patient was a 52-year-old Turkish man, the second patient was a 61-year-old Turkish man and the third patient was a 60-year-old Turkish woman. All were referred to the Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry with pain, swelling and various complaints in their jaws.

Conclusion: Early diagnosis is of vital importance for the prognosis of the patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas. For this reason, dentists play a crucial role in the early detection and prevention of oral cancers.

Figure 1

(a) Intra-oral view showing the clinical aspect of case 1. (b) Panoramic radiograph showing bone loss in the left mandibular third molar region of case 1.

Figure 2

(a) Intra-oral view showing the clinical aspect of case 2. (b) Panoramic radiograph showing bone loss in the left mandibular molar region of case 2.

Figure 3

(a) Intra-oral view showing the clinical aspect of case 3. (b) Panoramic radiograph showing the destruction of bone with extensive indefinite borders in the maxillary molar region of case 3.