Detecting Gingival Cancer

By Joshua E. Lubek, DDS, MD, FACS

Gingival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare disease that accounts for approximately 10% of SCC encountered within the oral cavity. While its etiology is unknown, SCC is commonly thought to arise from a preexisting leukoplakia or erythroplakia found on the gingiva. The average age of the patient at initial presentation is 60 to 70, and SCC often develops in individuals considered at low risk for oral cancer, including nonsmokers and individuals who consume little or no alcohol.^1–4 Compared with the established role of human papillomavirus (HPV) and its etiology and prognosis with oropharyngeal SCC, HPV and its association to oral cavity SCC (including the gingiva) have not been proven, with an overall incidence reported between 4% and 22%.^5,6

* References can be found in the original article via the link below.
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