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Print ISSN: 1792-1074 Online ISSN: 1792-1082
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May-2025 Volume 29 Issue 5

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Case Report Open Access

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma masked by herpes simplex virus infection: A case report

  • Authors:
    • Hideaki Sato
    • Masanori Takekawa
    • Sayaka Yuzawa
    • Masayuki Motohashi
    • Shinya Matsuda
    • Makoto Adachi
  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 078‑8510, Japan, Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University Hospital, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 078‑8510, Japan
    Copyright: © Sato et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
  • Article Number: 248
    |
    Published online on: March 26, 2025
       https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14994
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Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection can potentially mask underlying malignancies, complicating clinical diagnosis and potentially delaying the detection of a serious pathology. The present study describes the case of a 37‑year‑old man with a 20‑year smoking history that presented with a tongue ulcer masked by HSV infection, who underwent comprehensive diagnostic investigations. Initial histopathological examination revealed characteristic HSV infection features, including multinucleation and intercellular bridge destruction. Despite symptomatic improvement of the viral infection, persistent leukoplakia and erythroplakia warranted further investigation. Sequential biopsies and clinical monitoring led to a partial glossectomy. Final pathology confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue with negative tumor margins. The present case emphasizes the critical importance of thorough evaluation of persistent oral lesions, especially in high‑risk patients, as viral infections can complicate the diagnosis of underlying malignancies. Furthermore, it highlights the need for continued surveillance when clinical suspicion remains high, even after initial benign findings.
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Copy and paste a formatted citation
Spandidos Publications style
Sato H, Takekawa M, Yuzawa S, Motohashi M, Matsuda S and Adachi M: Tongue squamous cell carcinoma masked by herpes simplex virus infection: A case report. Oncol Lett 29: 248, 2025.
APA
Sato, H., Takekawa, M., Yuzawa, S., Motohashi, M., Matsuda, S., & Adachi, M. (2025). Tongue squamous cell carcinoma masked by herpes simplex virus infection: A case report. Oncology Letters, 29, 248. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14994
MLA
Sato, H., Takekawa, M., Yuzawa, S., Motohashi, M., Matsuda, S., Adachi, M."Tongue squamous cell carcinoma masked by herpes simplex virus infection: A case report". Oncology Letters 29.5 (2025): 248.
Chicago
Sato, H., Takekawa, M., Yuzawa, S., Motohashi, M., Matsuda, S., Adachi, M."Tongue squamous cell carcinoma masked by herpes simplex virus infection: A case report". Oncology Letters 29, no. 5 (2025): 248. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14994
Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Sato H, Takekawa M, Yuzawa S, Motohashi M, Matsuda S and Adachi M: Tongue squamous cell carcinoma masked by herpes simplex virus infection: A case report. Oncol Lett 29: 248, 2025.
APA
Sato, H., Takekawa, M., Yuzawa, S., Motohashi, M., Matsuda, S., & Adachi, M. (2025). Tongue squamous cell carcinoma masked by herpes simplex virus infection: A case report. Oncology Letters, 29, 248. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14994
MLA
Sato, H., Takekawa, M., Yuzawa, S., Motohashi, M., Matsuda, S., Adachi, M."Tongue squamous cell carcinoma masked by herpes simplex virus infection: A case report". Oncology Letters 29.5 (2025): 248.
Chicago
Sato, H., Takekawa, M., Yuzawa, S., Motohashi, M., Matsuda, S., Adachi, M."Tongue squamous cell carcinoma masked by herpes simplex virus infection: A case report". Oncology Letters 29, no. 5 (2025): 248. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14994
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