Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue associated with cinnamon gum use: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Cinnamon aldehydes found in cinnamon-flavored gums can incite mucosal alterations at points of contact with the oral mucosa. These alterations may include inflammation and epithelial proliferation, but as a rule, the changes are reversible and promptly resolve when gum-chewing activity is discontinued.


METHODS
The authors report a case of a 24-year-old woman who developed a squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue following persistent and prolonged exposure to cinnamon-flavored gum.


RESULTS
Several social, clinical, and histopathologic features point to the cinnamon-flavored chewing gum as a possible causal factor in the development of the patient's oral carcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Prompt withdrawal of cinnamon products is encouraged in heavy gum chewers who develop cinnamon-related oral lesions. For those lesions which do not promptly resolve upon cinnamon withdrawal, diagnostic biopsy should be considered to exclude the possibility of a squamous cell carcinoma.
Westra
W H
WH
Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-6417, USA.
McMurray
J S
JS
Califano
J
J
Flint
P W
PW
Corio
R L
RL
D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002638:Chewing Gum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002935:Cinnamomum zeylanicum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
D002638:Chewing Gum