title: Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue associated with cinnamon gum use: a case report.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-6417, USA.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Westra
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: McMurray
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Califano
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Flint
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Corio
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002638:Chewing Gum