SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE TONGUE ASSOCIATED WITH CINNAMON GUM USE - A CASE-REPORT

Background. Cinnamon aldehydes found in cinnamon-flavored gums can inc ite mucosal alterations at points of contact with the oral mucosa. The se alterations may include inflammation and epithelial proliferation, but as a rule, the changes are reversible and promptly resolve when gu m-chewing activity is discontinued. Methods. The authors report a case of a 24-year-old woman who developed a squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue following persistent and prolonged exposure to cinnamon-flavor ed gum. Results. Several social, clinical, and histopathologic feature s point to the cinnamon-flavored chewing gum as a possible causal fact or in the development of the patient's oral carcinoma. Conclusions. Pr ompt withdrawal of cinnamon products is encouraged in heavy gum chewer s who develop cinnamon-related oral lesions. For those lesions which d o not promptly resolve upon cinnamon withdrawal, diagnostic biopsy sho uld be considered to exclude the possibility of a squamous cell carcin oma. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.