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Background: More than 90% of malignant tumors diagnosed in the oral cavity are Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas (OSCC) whose preferred location is the tongue. Classically, this disease has affected men preferentially, although recent studies suggest that trends are changing and the proportion of women with OSCC is increasing. In addition, the prevalence of oral cancer is also determined by some risk factors as alcohol consumption and tobacco. Currently, the Tumor, Node, Metastasis (TNM) classification is employed to defined tumor stage and based on this guide specific treatments are established. However, 5-year-survival does not exceed 50% of cases. The objective of this study is to determine whether a histological risk pattern indicative of higher recurrence might be present in T1-T2 tumors located in the anterior two thirds of the tongue., Material and Methods: Samples from 26 patients with OSCC were analyzed and histological risk pattern of recurrent and non-recurrent tumors were compared. We have analyzed histological variables described in Anneroth and Brandwein-Gensler classifications. Additionally, we have also examined both clinical variables such as age, sex or comorbidities, as well as habits such as tobacco or alcohol consumption., Results: We found that sex (male) and keratinization degree (high or moderate) are directly related with OSCC recurrence. In fact, free illness time is lower in men and higher in those cases with minimal or no keratinization., Conclusions: Based on the variables analyzed, it has not been possible to establish a histological risk pattern that, complementary to the TNM classification, could have a predictive role in these early-stage tongue carcinomas.

The case is described of a 71-year-old woman presenting with acute erosive lichen planus. The lesions appeared one week after starting treatment with clopidogrel (Plavix), a new antiplatelet drug, for the prevention of cerebral thrombosis. The patient presented erosive lesions on both jugal mucosal surfaces and the lateral sides of the tongue, associated with intense pain. The clinical diagnosis of erosive lichen planus induced by clopidogrel was confirmed by histological biopsy evaluation. Clopidogrel was replaced by aspirin, which was the antiplatelet drug previously used by the patient, and 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase was prescribed in combination with systemic corticoids. The erosive lesions and pain disappeared as a result, though asymptomatic reticular lesions typical of lichen planus persisted.

We present the case of a 66-year-old woman with a diagnosis of chronic active viral C hepatitis, for whom a course of interferon alpha-2A was prescribed at a dose of 4.5 MU per day for a 2 month period, followed by the same dose on alternate days for 4 months. After completion of a month of therapy, the patient presented with painful oral lesions that made normal oral food intake impossible. These lesions persisted, in spite of withdrawal of interferon therapy. Intraoral examination revealed erosive intraoral lesions in both yugal mucosae, the upper vestibular gum, the floor of the mouth, the ventral region of the tongue, and the lower lip. A diagnosis of erosive lichen planus induced by interferon therapy was established. The prescribed treatment was 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase applied 3 times a day for 4 weeks. Following the therapeutical course, the erosive lesions disappeared, and the symptoms stopped, although the reticular lesions remained visible.

Saliva plays a fundamental role in the maintenance of oral health. Xerostomia is defined as a subjective sensation of oral dryness that usually implies a marked decrease in saliva secretion and may be due to a number of causes. Oral equilibrium is affected as a result, and buccal problems may develop. The present study reviews the different treatment modalities available for the management of xerostomia, destined to stimulate the production of saliva by chewing, administering gustatory substances, prescribing sialogogues such as pilocarpine, or using saliva substitutes or artificial saliva. The adoption of one treatment option or other in turn depends on the cause underlying xerostomia and on the functionality of the salivary glands. The review also evaluates preventive therapeutic measures and addresses the complications that may develop secondary to oral dryness.