Characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma in users or non users of tobacco and alcohol

tobacco and alcohol are the main extrinsic etiological factors for the genesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (scc), but it is still not clear if the presence of these factors interfere with clinical, pathologic and molecular characteristics or with the prognosis of the disease. in the present study, these characteristics were reviewed, establishing comparisons between the lesions of patients exposed and not exposed to tobacco and alcohol. we observed that oral scc in non smokers and non alcohol drinkers occur mainly in female patients, under 50 or over 70 years old. the lesions tend to be less aggressive in this group of patients and have a better prognosis. the molecular characteristics of these malignant tumors also appear to be influenced by the presence of these habits, once mutations of p53 have been associated with tobacco and alcohol use. the understanding of the differences between the neoplasms of these two groups of patients can contribute to the management of this cancer, which could lead to advances in the determination of more appropriate therapeutic measures.