Author(s) :

Ashley Lynn Forte.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of oral cancer, accounting for tens of thousands of diagnoses per year in the United States. Despite various treatment options, the 5-year survival rate of OSCC patients in countries with integrated health systems is approximately 60% with high rates of recurrence and metastasis. This signifies the importance of understanding the multifactorial etiology of OSCC incidence, progression, and mortality. For example, aberrant genetic and epigenetic regulation of tumor suppressor genes in oral epithelial cells contributes to OSCC progression through dysregulated cell proliferation. Tobacco and smoking, alcohol usage, betel nut consumption, and direct contact with environmental pollutants are proven to significantly increase OSCC risk. Due to the heterogeneity of disease, there are a multitude of treatment options available. They are based on Tumor, Node, and Metastasis staging and grading and include independent or conjunctive therapies of radiotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and photodynamic therapy. Additionally, clinical trials are currently being completed to evaluate the efficacy of novel treatments such as gene therapy and natural product-based interventions such as black raspberries. Collectively, this review aims to define the molecular, histopathological, and clinical profiles of OSCC to provide novel insight into future therapeutic modalities.