3. Oral Pathology and Microbiology

Oral Cancer — Quiz

Test your understanding of oral cancer with 5 practice questions.

Practice Questions

Question 1

A 58-year-old patient, a heavy smoker and drinker, presents with a 3 cm ulcerated lesion on the lateral border of the tongue. Clinically, there are no palpable cervical lymph nodes. A biopsy confirms squamous cell carcinoma. According to the AJCC 8th edition TNM staging system, and considering a depth of invasion (DOI) of 8 mm, what is the most appropriate T classification for this tumor?

Question 2

Which of the following molecular pathways is most frequently dysregulated in oral squamous cell carcinoma, often involving mutations in TP53 and leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and survival?

Question 3

A patient with oral squamous cell carcinoma is found to have extracapsular extension (ECE) in a resected cervical lymph node. According to the AJCC 8th edition TNM staging, what is the primary implication of ECE on the N classification and subsequent treatment planning?

Question 4

Which of the following genetic alterations is most commonly associated with resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors in oral squamous cell carcinoma, thereby influencing targeted therapy decisions?

Question 5

A patient undergoing surgical resection for an oral cavity tumor is found to have positive surgical margins. What is the most appropriate immediate next step in the multidisciplinary management plan, considering the goal of achieving local control?