Floor of Mouth Squamous Cell Carcinoma Presenting as an Abscess

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignancy encountered in oral cavity. Etiology is often multifactorial but strongly associated with chronic tobacco smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco chewing. Factors such as poor oral hygiene, ill-fitting dentures causing chronic mucosal irritation can also contribute to the cancer development. In recent years, studies shown association of HPV infections, especially subtypes 16 and 18 in malignant transformation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, as it present may change prognosis, outcomes and management strategies from HPV-negative OSCC. OSCC have variable presentation, and most of the patients tend to seek treatment at later stage of disease. The lesion may present as leukoplakia or erythroplakia and may be ulcerated with indurated base and rolled out edges. We describe an uncommon presentation of floor of mouth squamous cell carcinoma which presented as localized abscess.