title: The clinical and histologic presentation of gingival squamous cell carcinoma: a study of 519 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gingival squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) often presents with benign features, which may lead to delay in treatment. This study describes the clinical and histologic characteristics of a series of gingival SCCA cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective consecutive case review was performed using the University of Florida College of Dentistry Biopsy service's database, which yielded clinical and histologic information on 519 cases of gingival SCCA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age of affected patients was 72.3 years. The most common site was the mandibular posterior gingiva. Approximately 72% of lesions were present for >2 months at biopsy. The majority of clinicians considered a malignancy in their differential diagnosis (64%), although 15% considered only reactive lesions. Most of the carcinomas presented as exophytic masses and, histologically, were moderately differentiated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gingival SCCA may present with varied clinical and histologic appearances and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of benign appearing lesions of the gingiva.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.forename: Ashley N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Neuman
authors.forename: Donald M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Indraneel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies