Screening for syphilis in patients with carcinoma of the tongue

The oral signs of syphilis have been comprehensively described and can be identified at each stage of the infection. Despite the historical recognition that inadequately treated or untreated syphilitic leukoplakia may undergo malignant transformation, many surgical units no longer routinely screen patients presenting with malignant or premalignant lesions. In this study, five of the 63 patients (8%) who presented with neoplasms of the tongue reacted to syphilis antibodies. These results indicate that syphilis is still prevalent in this group of patients and suggest that serological investigations may be warranted in the initial assessment of all patients with oral cancer.