Resumo

TUCCI, Renata et al. Evaluation of 14 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma with delayed diagnosis. RSBO (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.7, n.2, pp. 231-238. ISSN 1984-5685.

INTRODUCTION: Pathological processes of several causes such as infectious, inflammatory, immunological, allergic, systemic and traumatic diseases often affect the oral cavity. The dentist is responsible for the diagnosis of these oral lesions. Likewise, the dentist is responsible for the oral cancer diagnosis. The oral cavity allows direct visualization of the structures, which facilitates the identification of initial lesions and, consequently, there should be a higher probability of early diagnosis of oral lesions. However, there are still many cases of oral cancer in Brazil with delayed diagnosis, which implies a worse prognosis and a decrease in the survival rate of patients. OBJECTIVE, CASE REPORT AND CONCLUSION: The aim of this work is to report oral squamous cell carcinoma cases with delayed diagnosis in the Stomatology Department of the Cuiabá Cancer Hospital (MT, Brazil), as well as to discuss the main reasons that lead to the delay in diagnosis, besides giving suggestions to modify this situation.

Palavras-chave : carcinoma; squamous cell; oral cancer; diagnosis.