title: Delayed diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma: a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In malign neoplasms, oral cancer is one of the important causes of mortality and morbidity. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common form of oral cancers in adults and is related to risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this article, we present three case reports of oral squamous cell carcinomas with delayed diagnosis. The first patient was a 52-year-old Turkish man, the second patient was a 61-year-old Turkish man and the third patient was a 60-year-old Turkish woman. All were referred to the Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry with pain, swelling and various complaints in their jaws.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early diagnosis is of vital importance for the prognosis of the patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas. For this reason, dentists play a crucial role in the early detection and prevention of oral cancers.
authors: Ankara University Dentistry Faculty, Department of Dentomaxillofacial Surgery, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey. drnihatakbulut@yahoo.com.
authors: Nihat
authors: N
authors: Akbulut
authors: Bengi
authors: B
authors: Oztas
authors: Sebnem
authors: S
authors: Kursun
authors: Sehrazat
authors: S
authors: Evirgen