Abstract
BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) comprises a significant proportion of head and neck cancers, with alarming incidence rates in India. Despite tobacco's known role, a concerning rise in OSCC among non-tobacco users poses an intriguing challenge. OBJECTIVE: This ten-year retrospective study aimed to compare the clinicopathological features of OSCC in patients with and without habits, focusing on the unique characteristics of OSCC in non-tobacco users. METHODS: Reviewing clinical records from 2012 to 2022, we gathered demographic and histopathological data, conducting statistical analyses using SPSS version 19. RESULTS: 83% of the subjects with OSCC had a known history of tobacco use, and 17% were non-tobacco users. Non-tobacco users exhibited distinct features, including a higher prevalence of well-differentiated SCC, more females, and an increased incidence of tongue cancers-statistically significant findings. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the unique clinicopathological features of OSCC in non-tobacco users, challenging conventional notions. Despite limitations in survival analysis, our findings underscore the need for targeted research into OSCC among non-tobacco users for improved preventive and therapeutic strategies. The study successfully confirmed the clinical distinctiveness of non-tobacco-induced oral cancers, setting the stage for future prospective research into the survival and prognosis of these two distinct groups.