[Epidermoid carcinoma of oral cavity in patients less than twenty]

To analyze a review of literature of patients aged less than 20 years with epidermoid carcinoma of oral cavity.

Two sources were used to identify cases. A Medline search was performed as well as a review of our Medlog files where two cases of oral epidermoid carcinoma were identified in patients aged less than 20 years.

Sixteen patients treated between 1981 and 2000 were included in this study. The mean age was 15.6 years and the sex ratio was 2.2 male/female. The mean time to diagnosis was 16.4 months. Tumors were staged III or IV in 71.4% of cases. The mean follow-up was 33.2 months. Rate of failure was 50% and one patient experienced local recurrence. At last follow-up, seven patients were alive with one patient living with cancer. All deaths resulted from the original cancer.

This study illustrates the rarity of epidermoid carcinoma of the oral cavity in patients aged less than 20 years. Owing to the fact that most tumors were classified III or IV, time to diagnosis is probably the most important prognosis factor. Histological examination of all lesions of the oral cavity is required, irrespective of the age of the patient.