Gingival squamous cell carcinoma masquerading as periodontal pathology

Cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx are the most common type of head and neck cancer with annual global incidence estimated at approximately 480,000 cases. More than 90% of oral cancer cases occur in people older than 45 years. Lesions of gingiva account for approximately 10% of the oral squamous cell carcinomas and may clinically present mimicking as benign or inflammatory lesions, leading to delay in definitive diagnosis and treatment with unfavorable outcome. Present case is a 60 year old male patient who presented with chronic periodontal lesion since the past 6 months. However, a through history, clinical and histopathological examination revealed the lesion to be gingival squamous cell carcinoma and treatment was initiated.

Gingival squamous cell carcinoma, Chronic periodontal lesion, Histopathological examination