Oral SCC Site — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: D — Lateral border of the tongue
The correct answer is D, the lateral border of the tongue. Current UK literature identifies the lateral tongue as the most frequent site of oral squamous cell carcinoma, with the floor of the mouth the next most frequent. Both are high-risk areas that require careful inspection and palpation during an oral mucosal examination. The floor of the mouth is therefore the strongest distractor but is not the most common site. Lower-lip carcinoma is associated particularly with ultraviolet exposure and is much less common in current UK data. Buccal mucosa is a more prominent site in populations where betel-quid or smokeless-tobacco use is prevalent, while the retromolar area is a recognised but less frequent oral cavity subsite.
Reference: Staines K, Sims C, Gibb J. Practice Pointer: Assessing oral ulcers and patches in primary care. BMJ. 2026;393:2025-085204. Published 28 May 2026. https://www.bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2025-085204