Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue: Distinct epidemiological profile disease

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) occurs in different subsites within the oral cavity. Our goal was to investigate the epidemiological features of OSCC with relation to age and subsite. Methods: Retrospective review of all patients treated for OSCC in a tertiary care center between 2000 and 2018. Results: A total of 360 patients were included. Five age groups were defined: 0 to 30, 31 to 45, 46 to 60, 61 to 75, and 76+. In the 0 to 30 and 31 to 45 groups, 94.6% of tumors originated in the oral tongue compared to 87%, 66%, and 61% in the 46 to 60, 61 to 75, and 76+ groups, respectively (P <.001). A higher proportion of oral tongue SCC (OTSCC) was found in nonsmokers (76% vs 62%, P =.02). In nonsmokers aged 0 to 60, 97.9% had OTSCC compared to 67.5% in the 61+ groups (P <.001). Conclusions: OSCC in young nonsmokers originates primarily in the tongue. The etiology of OTSCC in young patients may be different than other OSCC subsites and not related to smoking.