Clinicopathological study of oral cavity neoplasms: experience at a tertiary care hospital of Assam, India.

Spectrum of oral cavity neoplasms is wide, ranging from benign ones, viz. squamous papilloma,etc. to malignant ones, viz. squamous cell carcinoma, verrucous carcinoma etc. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence and histopathological behaviour of the neoplastic lesions of the oral cavity. The present study was carried out in Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, India during the period from December 2012 to November 2013. A total no. of 86 biopsy samples were studied from the patients with complaints of mass lesions in lip, cheek, anterior two thirds of the tongue, gingiva, floor of the mouth, retromolar trigone, hard palate and soft palate. Sections were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin stain and their histopathological diagnosis were established. Age group of the patients varied from 7–75 years. Among the neoplastic lesions 40.7% were benign, 5.8% were pre-malignant and 53.5% were malignant lesions. Among the malignant lesions squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest. The malignant lesions were commonly seen in the 5^th decade of life. Careful examination and precise histopathological diagnosis, aided by immunohistochemistry is imperative to confirm or rule out malignancy which is essential in management of various oral cavity neoplasms.