Gingival Squamous Cell Carcinoma – A Diagnostic Enigma : A Case Report

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common epithelial malignant neoplasm that affects the oral cavity; It is often misdiagnosed because of its variable and innocuous clinical appearance. Carcinomas of the gingiva are a unique subset of OSCC, accounting for approximately 10% of OSCCs. This lesion can mimic a multitude of oral lesions especially those of inflammatory origin with benign features and can lead to delay in the diagnosis and hence delayed treatment. This is a case report with follow up of a 65‐year old female patient who came to the department with chief complaint of pain and mobility in the left upper back region of the jaw since one week. On intraoral examination, a single proliferative growth present with respect to buccal, marginal and attached gingiva of 28. On palpation the growth is non‐tender, firm in consistency and margins are irregular and fixed to the underlying tissue. Diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically.