Maxillary squamous cell carcinoma: diagnosis and evolution of an inoperable case

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant neoplasia, originating from the oral lining epithelium, responsible for approximately 90-95% of malignancies in this location. Incidence and mortality rates for oral SCC may vary due to personal habits, socioeconomic characteristics, environmental factors and quality of health care. This study reports the aggressive evolution of SCC with a delayed diagnosis and the impossibility of immediate curative therapy. Case report A 47-year-old brown male patient, smoker and drinker was referred by a primary health care center to the Stomatology Clinic at UFPR (Federal University of Paraná). The diagnosis of well-differentiated SCC was confirmed by histopathological examination. The patient was referred to a specialized service where an oncology team defined the case as inoperable due to lung function limitations and advanced tumor staging. The patient underwent lung physiotherapy sessions until reaching clinical conditions to undergo oncologic therapy which included radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Conclusion: The reported case highlights the importance of establishing an early diagnosis for SCC. There is a need of facilitating and speeding the access to both health care services and information that lead patients to seek professional assistance as soon as the first disease signs appear.