Vol. 3, Issue 9, Part H (2017)

Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 90% of all oral cancers. It may affect any anatomical site in the mouth, but most commonly the tongue and the floor of the mouth. The use of tobacco and betel nut, alcoholic beverages and a diet low in fresh fruits and vegetables are well known risk factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Important risk factors related to the carcinoma itself that are associated with a poor prognosis include large size of the tumour at the time of diagnosis, the presence of metastases in regional lymph nodes, and a deep invasive front of the tumour. It usually arises from a pre-existing potentially malignant lesion, and occasionally de novo; but in either case from within a field of pre-cancerized epithelium. It can be attributed to the fact that about two-thirds of persons with oral squamous cell carcinoma already have a large lesion at the time of diagnosis. In the present study we analyzed 100 cases diagnosed as oral squamous cell carcinoma. The most common lesion diagnosed was well differentiated keratinizing quamous cell carcinoma, with buccal mucosa being the most common site affecting predominantly the patients of 30-39 years of age.