Adenosquamous carcinoma of the floor of the mouth mimicking an oral erythroleukoplakia: case report and review of literature

ABSTRACT

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is an uncommon and controversial epithelial neoplasm characterized by simultaneous and distinct areas of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Only few cases of oral adenosquamous carcinoma have been previously reported in the literature. It has been described as a squamous cell carcinoma subtype with a high infiltrative capacity. The majority of the patients suffer with early recurrence, local and distant metastases, and low survival rate. In this article, a case of ASC which was clinically similar to an oral leukoplakia is reported and the literature is reviewed. We underline the main histological features and the importance of the oral pathologist in the recognition of the squamous cell carcinoma subtypes.