ear, nose, and throat disorders
Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Key Points
The chief risk factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma are heavy smoking and alcohol use. Oral cancer is sometimes asymptomatic initially, so oral screening (typically by dental professionals) is useful for early diagnosis. Do direct laryngoscopy and esophagoscopy to exclude a simultaneous second primary cancer. Once cancer is confirmed, do head and neck CT, a chest imaging (CT or x-ray), and sometimes PET/CT. Initial treatment is usually surgical. 