SCC Most Common Site — ORE Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: D — Lateral border of the tongue
The lateral border of the tongue is the most common site for oral squamous cell carcinoma in the UK, accounting for approximately one-third of all oral cavity cancers according to Thames Cancer Registry data (33.1% of 9,318 cases). This reflects UK epidemiology where tobacco and alcohol are the primary risk factors, contrasting with non-UK populations where buccal mucosa predominates due to betel nut use and smokeless tobacco placement. The floor of the mouth is the second most common high-risk site but less frequent than tongue. Hard palate, buccal mucosa in the UK context, and retromolar trigone are all less common presentations and would be secondary diagnoses in differential consideration.
Reference: Royal College of Surgeons of England. Olaleye OA, et al. Incidence and survival trends of lip, intra-oral cavity and tongue base cancers in south-east England. The Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England. 2015;97(3):229–234. https://publishing.rcseng.ac.uk/doi/10.1308/003588414X14055925061676