Abstract

A significant increase has been observed in cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in young adults without a history of tobacco use, alcohol consumption, or infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). This article presents the case of a 39-year-old woman with no history of smoking or alcohol use. She presented with a red plaque featuring ulcerated areas on the left lateral border of the tongue, measuring 3 cm at its greatest diameter, with an 8-year history marked by periods of exacerbation and remission, accompanied by a burning sensation in the affected area. Based on a clinical hypothesis of oral erythroplakia (OE), an incisional biopsy was performed. Histopathological analysis revealed severe epithelial dysplasia, disruption of the basement membrane, and small epithelial islands on the surface of the adjacent connective tissue, which tested positive for pancytokeratin in immunohistochemical analysis. A diagnosis of microinvasive OSCC was established. The patient underwent surgical treatment, with the diagnosis confirmed in the surgical specimen, and she is currently disease-free. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and histopathological evaluation of OE to prevent progression to OSCC-an entity increasingly observed in young adults without identifiable risk factors. We emphasize the need for further research, including genetic studies, to help clarify and explain cases of OSCC and potentially malignant lesions in young adults, such as the one described here.