CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL PROFILE AND RISK FACTORS OF ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Aim: to investigate associations among demographic, behavioral, clinical and histopathological variables in order to better define the risk profile of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Methods: a retrospective study was conducted on patients referred to the department between 2015 and 2024. Inclusion criteria comprised patients aged ≥18 years with confirmed diagnosis of OSCC. Extracted variables included age, gender, tobacco and alcohol exposure, HPV history, systemic diseases, presence of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) history, tumor site, and histological grading. Statistical analysis was performed to identify associations between variables. Results: a total of 48 OSCC patients, most of them were older than 60 years. The tobacco exposure was frequently reported, often exceeding 20 pack-years, while alcohol consumption and HPV history were less common. The tongue was the most frequently affected site and moderate histological differentiation (G2) represented the predominant histological grade. OPMDs, particularly oral lichenoid lesions, were present in a relevant proportion of patients. Patients without OPMDs tended to show higher histological grading, suggesting potentially more aggressive tumor behavior. Conclusions: OSCC presents a heterogeneous risk profile characterized by advanced age, tobacco exposure, tongue involvement and moderate histological differentiation. The lower histological differentiation in OPMDs patients might be due to the increased clinical monitoring, highlighting the importance of regular follow-up for early detection.