Early-Onset Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Emerging Biological Insights, Risk Factors and Clinical Implications - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #tumor microenvironment
- #oral cancer
- #young adults
- Early-onset oral squamous cell carcinoma (EO-OSCC) affects individuals under 50 and differs from conventional OSCC in exposure patterns and tumor biology.
- EO-OSCC is more common in never-smokers/never-drinkers, complicating early recognition and management.
- Distinct biological features include low tumor mutational burden, alterations in CDKN2A, TP53, NOTCH1, EGFR, and epigenetic dysregulation.
- Emerging risk factors include sugar-sweetened beverages, electronic cigarette use, and oral microbial dysbiosis.
- Younger patients may tolerate intensive therapies better and achieve favorable outcomes despite aggressive histopathologic features.
- There is a need for age-specific prognostic tools, biomarker-guided therapies, and early detection protocols.