MICROINVASIVE ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA ARISING DURING LEUKOPLAKIA FOLLOW-UP: CASE REPORT

This study aims to report a case of recurrence of leukoplakias that due to absence of follow-up evolved to microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A 31-year-old female patient denied smoking and alcoholism and used dental prostheses. She was referred for lesion evaluation in a painless, leukoplastic, granular surface, measuring 3 cm, on the right lateral border of the tongue. Histopathological biopsy of hyperkeratosis and acanthosis compatible with a diagnosis of leukoplakia was performed. After 1 year, a new lesion appeared, and an excisional biopsy was made. The lesion was a lichenoid reaction, with a 3-month follow-up. Remained 6 years without follow-up. Upon return, he clinically presented lesion in the same location, painful, white, and verrucous. An excisional biopsy was performed and the diagnosis was microinvasive SCC. Adequate follow-up of potentially malignant disorders is essential for the early diagnosis of possible malignancies, thus, improving the patient’s prognosis and survival.