1 Volume 22 2023 e230008 Original Article Braz J Oral Sci. 2023;22:e230008http://dx.doi.org/10.20396/bjos.v22i00.8670008 1 Postgraduate Program in Collective Health, State University of Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, BA, Brazil. 2 Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil. Corresponding author: Alessandra Laís Pinho Valente Pires Postgraduate Program in Collective Health, State University of Feira de Santana - Feira de Santana (BA), Brazil. Av. Transnordestina, s/n - Feira de Santana, Novo Horizonte - BA, 44036-900. Tel: +55 75 991244353. E-mail: lecavalent@hotmail.com Editor: Dr. Altair A. Del Bel Cury Received: June, 3rd 2022 Accepted: July 14th, 2023 Survival of young and elderly adults with oral squamous cell carcinoma in a population in northeastern Brazil Marília de Matos Amorim1 , Alessandra Laís Pinho Valente Pires1,* , Ana Letícia Marques de Souza Assis1 , Carlos Alberto Lima da Silva1 , Jean Nunes dos Santos2 , Valéria Souza Freitas1 Aim: To compare the profile and overall survival of young adults and elderly people diagnosed with SCC. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out at a High Complexity Oncology Unit, between 2010 and 2016. A descriptive analysis, a bivariate analysis using the chi-square and Fisher’s exact test and the Kaplan-Meier estimator were performed. The predictor variables were tested using the log-rank test and those with statistical significance and the literature were maintained for the Cox regression model. Results: 282 cases of SCC were recorded, with only 12.4% diagnosed in young adults. The profile was similar between groups, with the majority of cases of the disease occurring in males, smokers and alcohol consumers. The lesions predominantly located on the tongue and were diagnosed in an advanced stage of the disease, resulting in 35.7% of deaths. The median survival time was 30 months in the elderly and 31 months in young people. In the multivariate analysis, age was not statistically significant, only staging and treatment were predictors of reduced overall survival. Conclusion: Tumor staging, and treatment were prognostic factors for the disease. Keywords: Carcinoma, squamous cell. Survival analysis. Young adults. Prognosis. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5224-4918 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6848-8992 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2323-7305 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0038-4625 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7225-5879 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7259-4827 2 Amorim et al. Braz J Oral Sci. 2023;22:e230008 Introduction The oral cavity is one of the most common sites for head and neck malignancies. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common oral malignancy, occurring mainly in individuals aged 60 years or over1,2. The traditional risk factors include smok- ing and alcohol consumption2. The occurrence of SCC is considered rare among young adults, with a prevalence rang- ing from 4 to 6% in relation to all oral cancers in this group2,3. The studies are controver- sial regarding its clinical course, prognosis and survival. Some studies have stated that young patients showed better results in the clinical course of the SCC when compared to the elderly4. Others showed a worse prognosis and lower survival in young people5,6, while other authors showed a similar prognosis between these groups7,8. There is no consensus in the literature on prognosis and survival in relation to SCC in different age groups. Thus, this study aims to compare the profile and overall survival of young and elderly adults diagnosed with SCC in a High Complexity Oncology Unit in Brazil. Material and Methods This is an observational study, developed from a retrospective hospital-based cohort, where all cases of SCC registered in the High Complexity Oncology Unit of Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil, were retrospectively analyzed. The Research Ethics Commit- tees of the institution reviewed and approved this study (protocol number: 2,399,237). All individuals with histopathological diagnosis of SCC during the period of 2010 and 2016, according to the classification of the World Health Organization9, were included. Data collection was performed from the analysis of clinical records. The variables analyzed were: Age (elderly or young, using 45 as the cut-off age), sex, tobacco use, alcohol use, primary tumor location, tumor differentiation, staging and type of treatment. The tumors were classified into categories C00 to C09 of the International Classifica- tion of Diseases for Oncology, third edition (ICD-10). Individuals with any other type of cancer, potentially malignant lesions or disorders, metastatic disease to the oral cav- ity or tumors of questionable malignant potential were excluded. Clinical records lack- ing the information “date of death” or “date of last consultation” were also excluded. The survival time, in months, was defined as the period between the individual’s entry into the study (date of diagnosis) until the occurrence of the event of interest (death) - failure or the last consultation - censorship. A descriptive analysis and bivariate analysis were performed using chi-square test and variables with values lower than 5 in the 2x2 table evaluated using Fisher’s exact test. The variables that were evaluated by the chi-square test were: tobacco use, alco- hol use, and tumor differentiation. The variables that were evaluated by Fisher’s exact test were: sex, primary location, staging, and treatment. To estimate the probabilities of survival at each time, the Kaplan-Meier estimator was used. The predictor variables 3 Amorim et al. Braz J Oral Sci. 2023;22:e230008 were tested using the log-rank test, given the proportionality of the risks. The variables that were statistically significant, considering p> 0.05 and the literature, were main- tained for the final regression model. In order to estimate the effects of each covari- ate on the survival of individuals, the Cox proportional hazards model was adjusted for each one of them and based on the significance of the relative risks at each time (defined by the exponential of the parameters). The variables that remained in the final model were those that proved to be statistically and epidemiologically significant, after controlling for the others in the multivariable Cox model. The proportionality assumption necessary for the Cox model was tested with the graphical method and with the time-dependent covariate test. All were performed using the SPSS software version 22.0, and the STATA® version 14 (StataCorp LLC). Results In this study, 282 cases of SCC were diagnosed. Of this, 87.6% occurred in elderly indi- viduals and 12.4% in young adults. The mean age of the participants was 59.9 (± 13.1) years, 39.9 (± 6) years in the young group and 62.7 (± 11.2) years in the elderly. In both groups, most cases occurred in males (78,1% - elderly; 88,6% - young adults) (Table 1). Table 1. Distribution of individuals with squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity, according to age groups. Young Adult N= 35 Elderly N= 247 P value Sex Male 31 (88.6%) 193(78.1%) 0.18* Female 4 (11.4%) 54 (21.9%) Tobacco Yes 22 (73.3) 202 (91.8%) 0.00** No 8 (26.7%) 18(8.2%) Alcoholic beverages Yes 18 (62.1%) 192 (88.1%) 0.00** No 11(37.9%) 26 (11.9%) Primary location Lip 3 (8.6%) 26 (10.5) 0.64* Tongue 18 (51.5%) 89 (36.1%) Gum (gingiva) 1 (2.9%) 6 (2.4%) Floor 4 (11.4%) 36 (14.6%) Palate 3 (8.6%) 25 (10.1%) Other parts 6 (17.1) 65(26.3%) Tumor differentiation Well differentiated 12 (41.4%) 69 (34.5 %) 0.19**Moderately differentiated 10 (34.5%) 102(51.0%) Poorly differentiated 7 (24.1%) 29 (14.5%) Continue 4 Amorim et al. Braz J Oral Sci. 2023;22:e230008 Continuation Staging I e II 2 (6.2%) 0.18* III e IV 30 (93.8%) Treatment Surgery 4 (12.1%) 0,66* Radiotherapy 0 (0%) Chemotherapy 2 (6.1%) Surgery, Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy 11(33.3%) Surgery and Chemotherapy 1 (3.0%) Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy 10 (30.3%) 0,66* Refusal of treatment 5 (15.2%) *Fisher’s exact test; **Test χ² The record sums for each variable differ due to missing data. Use of tobacco was reported by 91.8% and 73.3% of participants (elderly and young adults, respectively). Alcohol consumption was descripted by 88.1% and 62.1% of individuals (elderly and young adults, respectively), with a statistically significant dif- ference between groups (p = 0.008 and p = 0.00, respectively) (Table 2). Table 2. Overall survival according to sex, lifestyle, clinical, histopathological characteristics, and treatment among young and elderly adults with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Variable Young Elderly % P value % P value Sex Male 88.6 0.97 78.1 0.25 Female 11.4 21.9 Tobacco Yes 73.3 0.53 91.8 0.08 No 26.7 8.2 Alcoholic beverages Yes 62.1 0.74 88.1 0.13 No 37.9 11.9 Primary location Lips 8.6 0.003 10.5 0.03 Tongue 51.5 36.1 Gum (Gingiva) 2.9 2.4 Floor 11.4 14.6 Palate 8.6 10.1 Other parts 17.1 26.3 Continue 5 Amorim et al. Braz J Oral Sci. 2023;22:e230008 Continuation Tumor differentiation Well differentiated 41.4 0.71 34.5 0.39Moderately differentiated 34.5 51.0 Poorly differentiated 24.1 14.5 Staging I e II 6.2 0.41 16.6 0.00 III e IV 93.8 83.4 Treatment Surgery 12.1 0.00 15.0 0.00 Radiotherapy 0 6.5 Chemotherapy 6.1 11.3 Combination therapy 66.7 51.0 Refusal of treatment 15.2 16.2 *log rank test The record sums for each variable differ due to missing data. Most tumors were primarily located on the tongue, both in the elderly and young indi- viduals (36.1% and 51.5%, respectively). Tumors were classified mainly as moderately differentiated in the elderly (51%) and well differentiated in young adults (41.4%). As for tumor staging, in both groups, individuals were diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease (Stage III and IV). Among the elderly individuals, 34.8% were treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and the young individuals (33.3%) were treated by combined surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. In addition, 16.2% and 15.2% of participants refused treatment (elderly and young adults, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between groups (Table 1). Table 3 shows the bivariate analysis for risk factors and death. In the elderly group, statistically significant differences were found for alcohol consumption (p = 0.03), primary location (p = 0.001), staging (p = 0.0) and treatment (p = 0.0). In young individ- uals, no variable showed statistically significant differences. Table 3. Distribution of death according to sex, lifestyle, clinical, histopathological characteristics, and treatment among young and elderly adults with squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity. Variable Death Young Adult Elderly Yes No P value Yes No P value Sex Male 7 24 1.0* 74 117 0.18** Female 1 3 15 37 Tobacco Yes 5 17 0.41* 79 119 0.07* No 3 5 3 15 Continue 6 Amorim et al. Braz J Oral Sci. 2023;22:e230008 Continuation Alcoholic beverages Yes 4 14 0.43* 77 111 0.03** No 4 7 5 21 Primary location Lips 0 3 0.17* 1 25 0.001* Tongue 6 12 39 49 Gum (Gingiva) 1 0 0 6 Floor 0 4 16 19 Palate 1 2 11 13 Other parts 0 6 22 42 Tumor differentiation Well-differentiated 3 9 1.0* 21 46 0.47**Moderately differentiated 2 8 41 60 Poorly differentiated 1 6 11 18 Staging I e II 0 2 1.0* 2 35 0.0* III e IV 8 22 83 106 Treatment Surgery 0 4 0.80* 2 35 0.0* Radiotherapy 0 0 11 4 Chemotherapy 0 2 17 10 Combination therapy 7 15 49 76 Refusal of treatment 1 3 10 29 *Fisher’s exact test/ **Test χ² The record sums for each variable differ due to missing data. According to the survival status, 35.7% of the individuals died; 10.1% were without evidence of the disease; 9.4% with partial remission of the disease; 11.6 % with sta- ble disease; 31% with progressing disease, and 2.2% out of therapeutic possibilities. In addition, 11.3% of deaths were related to patients who refused treatment. The median survival time in the elderly was 30 months, and 31 months in the young group, with no statistically significant difference between them (p = 0.18) (Figure 1). 7 Amorim et al. Braz J Oral Sci. 2023;22:e230008 1.00 0.75 0.50 0.25 0.00 0 50 100 150 Analysis time Age group = young Age group = elderly Log rank test p = 0.18 Kaplan-Meier Survival Estimates Figure 1. Survival curve of individuals with squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity, according to age groups (Kaplan Meier curve). The variables that showed statistical significance in relation to survival and the predic- tor variables in the elderly group were primary location (p = 0.03), staging (p = 0.00) and treatment (p = 0.00). In the young group, they were primary location (p = 0.003) and treatment (p = 0.00) (Table 4). Table 4. Cox regression model for survival analysis in individuals with squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity. HR (CI 95%) P Value Age (Young group vs Elderly group) 1.51 (0.65 – 3.5) 0.43 Location (Tongue or floor vs others) 0.73 (0.45 – 1.17) 0.19 Tumor differentiation Well differentiated Reference Moderately differentiated 1.4 (0.83 – 2.38) 0.20 Poorly differentiated 0.66 (0.31 – 1.38) 0.27 Staging (I e II vs III e IV) 9.8 (2.33 – 41.4) 0.002 Treatment Isolated therapy Reference Combination therapy 0.36 (0.21 – 0.63) 0.000 Refusal of treatment 2.9 (1.31 – 6.58) 0.009 *Cox regression model 8 Amorim et al. Braz J Oral Sci. 2023;22:e230008 In the multivariate analysis, using the Cox proportional hazards model, it was revealed that only the staging (HR = 9.8, CI 95% = 2.33 – 41.4 and p = 0.002) and the type of treatment (HR = 0.36, CI 95% = 0.21 – 0.63 and p = 0.000; HR = 2.9, CI 95% = 1.31 – 6.58, p = 0.009) were statistically significant predictors for reduced overall survival in both groups. In the univariate and multivariate analysis, age was not associated with survival. Discussion The data in our study are consistent with the literature, which reports that the high- est incidence of cases of SCC occurs in middle-aged and elderly individuals, gener- ally exposed to the main risk factors for the disease1,2. In this study, only 12.4% of the cases of SCC occurred in young individuals aged 45 years or less. Park et al.6, who used the same cut-off age, found a prevalence of this tumor in 27.1% of young patients. Other authors using a cut-off age of 40 years observed that only 8.5% of cases occurred in this group10. Some differences found in the studies about the prev- alence of SCC in young adults may be related to different inclusion criteria, in addition to the time of follow-up and the different age limits used in the studies10-12. In our study, in both groups, the disease was more frequent in males, with results sim- ilar to those found by Sun et al.7. Gender-related differences are attributed to greater male exposure to risk factors, but this prevalence has decreased over the decades due to women’s lifestyle changes, with greater exposure to carcinogenic agents from tobacco and alcohol2. For Halboulb et al.13, the predominance of males found in elderly individuals was not observed in young adults, with an increase in the number of cases in young women. With regard to life habits, in both groups, the majority of individuals were smokers and chronic alcohol consumers, with statistical significance between the groups (p = 0.008, p = 0.00, respectively). These results corroborate the findings of Ho et al.4. The risk for the development of SCC is increased depending on the type, frequency, and duration of these habits14. Although some authors claim that these factors may not be as relevant for the development of the disease in young patients since the exposure time may be short for the malignant transformation of the lesions, other authors reveal that exposure to these risk factors can start in adolescence, making the time conducive to the development of SCC15. With regard to clinical findings, most tumors were primarily located on the tongue, both in young and elderly adults. These results are in accordance with the findings of Sun et al.7. Regarding histopathological data, the results of our study show that most tumors were classified as moderately differentiated in the elderly and well differenti- ated in young individuals. Different results were found in the studies by Soundry et al.8 and Fang et al.11, where in both groups, the tumors were classified as well differenti- ated. However, for most authors, there are no significant differences in the histological classification of the SCC between the elderly and young adults11,16. As for tumor staging, the two groups showed higher frequencies in advanced stages (Stage III and IV). Similar results were found in studies by Ho et al.4 who also com- pared staging in elderly and young patients and observed that in both groups, the 9 Amorim et al. Braz J Oral Sci. 2023;22:e230008 majority of cases were diagnosed in stages III or IV. Also corroborating these findings, Morais et al.17, through a systematic review, observed that the proportion of young patients diagnosed with stages III and IV was high, similar to studies with groups of elderly patients. For some authors, the reason for the late diagnosis may probably be the lack of awareness of patients, who usually seek treatment only when the tumor is apparent and presents painful symptoms16. The results of our study in relation to the type of treatment show that in the elderly group, the treatment of choice was mainly chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and in the young group, it was predominantly the surgical one associated with radiother- apy and chemotherapy. These choices regarding treatment corroborate the findings of other studies4,17. Regarding the association between death and predictor variables, it was observed that in the young group no variable presented statistical significance, probably due to the small number of individuals studied. The significant association in the elderly group with the variable related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages reveals this variable as a risk factor for death. Location, which was also significant in this group, is said to be a prognostic factor since tumors present different behaviors depending on their location, and SCCs located on the tongue and floor present a more aggressive behavior and, consequently, a higher risk of death and a worse prognosis18. Staging and the type of treatment performed were also considered risk factors for death in the elderly group in the present study. For some authors, patients diagnosed late have their survival reduced, in addition to the need for more aggressive treatments19. The high death rate revealed in our study (35.7%) is in agreement with another study carried out in Brazil. Santos et al.20 described the clinical and epidemiological pro- file of individuals with oral cancer treated at referral hospitals in the same state as this present study, revealing that 20.55% of individuals died by the end of the study. Udeabor et al.21 revealed, in a study carried out in Germany, that this also occurred in 34.2% of the individuals. As for overall survival, our findings show that there was no statistically significant difference between age groups (p = 0.18). Similarly, many studies show that age does not seem to have any significance in the prognosis of individuals with SCC. In the study by Fang et al.¹¹, age did not show any influence on the survival of individuals. Additionally, Sun et al.7, verified no association of age with disease-free survival and overall survival (p = 0.296 and p = 0.677, respectively). The variables found to be statistically significant through the log rank test in our study are in accordance with the literature. The primary location of the tumor is revealed as a prognostic factor and related to survival in the findings of other authors21. According to Woolgar and Scott.22, this association is related to the presence of regional metas- tasis, showing that some locations, such as the tongue and mouth floor, are more conducive to these metastases and predict lower survival rates. However, in our study, primary tumor location was not significant after multivariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, only tumor staging and the type of treatment performed were statistically significant. The study carried out by Soundry et al.8 revealed, through 10 Amorim et al. Braz J Oral Sci. 2023;22:e230008 Cox reduction, staging as a predictor for reduced survival, with tumor size being a predictor for disease-free survival and tumor size being a predictor of lymph node involvement for overall survival. Staging is accepted as an important parameter for indicating tumor aggressiveness, predicting the prognosis, and indicating therapeutic conduct. According to some authors, tumor growth may be associated with the risk of disease recurrence, regional metastases, and, consequently, shorter survival23. Although many studies show that age may not be an individual prognostic factor, some studies have observed a higher rate of recurrence in young patients when com- pared to the elderly. This high rate of recurrence can be explained by the lack of ade- quate treatment or the different biological behavior of tumors in young individuals7. The type of treatment performed, which was also found to be statistically significant in the multivariate analysis in the present study, was considered a prognostic factor for survival in the study by Blanchard et al.24. These authors revealed that the absence of surgery had an influence on overall survival (HR: 13.5 [2.0, 90.5], p = 0.007). Although our study may contribute to a better understanding of the profile and factors related to survival in young and elderly adults diagnosed with SCC, it has limitations that are typical of this retrospective method. Thus, it is recommended to carry out further longitudinal studies. In conclusion, the present study contributes to describing SCC behavior and prognos- tic factors in young and elderly patients. In the multivariate analysis, age was not an influencing factor in the survival of diagnosed individuals, only tumor staging and the type of treatment performed revealed statistical significance, showing these variables as prognostic factors for the disease. Conflict of interest None. Acknowledgments None. Data availability Datasets related to this article will be available upon request to the corresponding author. Author Contribution M.M.A.: Substantial contributions to the acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data for the work; and drafting the work and Final approval of the version to be published; and Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that ques- tions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. 11 Amorim et al. Braz J Oral Sci. 2023;22:e230008 A.L.P.V.P.: Substantial contributions to the acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data for the work; and drafting the work and Final approval of the version to be published; and Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that ques- tions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. A.L.M.S.A.: Substantial contributions to the acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data for the work; and drafting the work and Final approval of the version to be pub- lished; and Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. C.A.L.S.: Substantial contributions to the acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data for the work; and drafting the work and Final approval of the version to be published; and Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that ques- tions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. J.N.S.: Substantial contributions to the acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data for the work; and drafting the work and Final approval of the version to be published; and Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investi- gated and resolved. V.S.F.: Substantial contributions to the acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data for the work; and drafting the work and Final approval of the version to be published; and Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investi- gated and resolved. All authors actively participated in the manuscript’s findings, revised and approved the final version of the manuscript. References 1. Scully C, Bagan J. Oral squamous cell carcinoma overview. Oral Oncol. 2009 Apr-May;45(4-5):301-8. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2009.01.004. 2. Warnakulasuriya S. Global epidemiology of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Oral Oncol. 2009 Apr- May;45(4-5):309-16. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2008.06.002. 3. Patel SC, Carpenter WR, Tyree S, Couch ME, Weissler M, Hackman T, et al. Increasing incidence of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma in young white women, age 18 to 44 years. J Clin Oncol. 2011 Apr;29(11):1488-94. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2010.31.7883. 4. Ho HC, Lee MS, Hsiao SH, Hwang JH, Hung SK, Chou P, et al. Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity in young patients: a matched-pair analysis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2008 Jul;265 Suppl 1:S57-61. doi: 10.1007/s00405-007-0496-5. 5. Garavello W, Spreafico R, Gaini RM. Oral tongue cancer in young patients: a matched analysis. Oral Oncol. 2007 Oct;43(9):894-7. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2006.10.013. 12 Amorim et al. Braz J Oral Sci. 2023;22:e230008 6. Park JO, Sun DI, Cho KJ, Joo YH, Yoo HJ, Kim MS. Clinical outcome of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in young patients: a stage-matched comparative analysis. Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2010 Sep;3(3):161-5. doi: 10.3342/ceo.2010.3.3.161. 7. Sun Q, Fang Q, Guo S. A comparison of oral squamous cell carcinoma between young and old patients in a single medical center in China. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015 Aug;8(8):12418-23. 8. Soudry E, Preis M, Hod R, Hamzany Y, Hadar T, Bahar G, et al. Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue in patients younger than 30 years: clinicopathologic features and outcome. Clin Otolaryngol. 2010 Aug;35(4):307-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-4486.2010.02164.x. 9. El-Naggar AK, Chan JKC, Grandis JR, Takata T, Slootweg PJ. WHO classification of tumors of the head and neck. 4th ed. Lyon: IARC Press; 2017. p. 261-73. 10. Llewellyn CD, Johnson NW, Warnakulasuriya KA. Risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity in young people--a comprehensive literature review. Oral Oncol. 2001 Jul;37(5):401-18. doi: 10.1016/s1368-8375(00)00135-4. 11. Fang QG, Shi S, Liu FY, Sun CF. Tongue squamous cell carcinoma as a possible distinct entity in patients under 40 years old. Oncol Lett. 2014 Jun;7(6):2099-102. doi: 10.3892/ol.2014.2054. 12. Hussein AA, Helder MN, de Visscher JG, Leemans CR, Braakhuis BJ, de Vet HCW, et al. Global incidence of oral and oropharynx cancer in patients younger than 45 years versus older patients: a systematic review. Eur J Cancer. 2017 Sep;82:115-27. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2017.05.026. 13. Halboub E, Al-Mohaya M, Abdulhuq M, Al-Mandili A, Al-Anazi Y. Oral squamous cell carcinoma among Yemenis: Onset in young age and presentation at advanced stage. J Clin Exp Dent. 2012 Oct 1;4(4):e221-5. doi: 10.4317/jced.50824. 14. Petti S. Lifestyle risk factors for oral cancer. Oral Oncol. 2009 Apr-May;45(4-5):340-50. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2008.05.018. 15. Hirota SK, Migliari DA, Sugaya NN. Oral squamous cell carcinoma in a young patient – case report and literature review. An Bras Dermatol. 2006;81(3):251-4. doi: 10.1590/S0365-05962006000300007. 16. Ahmad H, Jabar NA, Rahman NA, Rahman RA, Sha PP, Ramli R. Oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas in young patients in a selected Malaysian centre. Asia-Pac J Clin Oncol. 2009;5:39. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-7563.2009.01190.x. 17. Morais EF, Mafra RP, Gonzaga AKG, de Souza DLB, Pinto LP, da Silveira ÉJD. Prognostic factors of oral squamous cell carcinoma in young patients: a systematic review. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017 Jul;75(7):1555-66. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2016.12.017. 18. Costa Ade L, Pereira JC, Nunes AA, Arruda Mde L. [Correlation between TNM classification, histological grading and anatomical location in oral squamous cell carcinoma]. Pesqui Odontol Bras. 2002 Jul-Sep;16(3):216-20. Portuguese. doi: 10.1590/s1517-74912002000300006. 19. Lima AAS, França BHS, Ignácio SA, Baioni CS. [Knowledge of university students about oral câncer]. Rev Bras Cancerol.2005;51(4):283-8. Portuguese. doi: 10.32635/2176-9745.RBC.2005v51n4.1914. 20. Santos LPS, Carvalho FS, Carvalho CAP, Santana DA. [Characteristics of cases of oral cancer in the State of Bahia, 1999-2012: a hospital-based study]. Rev Bras Cancerol.2015;61(1):7-14. Portuguese. doi: 10.32635/2176-9745.RBC.2015v61n1.350. 21. Udeabor SE, Rana M, Wegener G, Gellrich NC, Eckardt AM. Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and the oropharynx in patients less than 40 years of age: a 20-year analysis. Head Neck Oncol. 2012 May;4:28. doi: 10.1186/1758-3284-4-28. 22. Woolgar JA, Scott J. Prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue/floor of mouth. Head Neck. 1995 Nov-Dec;17(6):463-72. doi: 10.1002/hed.2880170603. 13 Amorim et al. Braz J Oral Sci. 2023;22:e230008 23. Sutton DN, Brown JS, Rogers SN, Vaughan ED, Woolgar JA. The prognostic implications of the surgical margin in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2003 Feb;32(1):30-4. doi: 10.1054/ijom.2002.0313. 24. Blanchard P, El Khoury C, Temam S, Casiraghi O, Mirghani H, Lévy A, et al. [Oral cavity cancers among young people: Clinical results and prognostic analysis]. Cancer Radiother. 2016 Apr;20(2):91-7. French. doi: 10.1016/j.canrad.2015.09.013.