What are the most common sites for smoking/tobacco associated cancers?

• A. Gingiva, anterior 2/3 of tongue, buccal mucosa, lips
• B. Posterior tongue
• C. Molar region
• D. Hard palate

Answer: (A)

Tobacco-related cancers in the mouth appear most often where the mucosa is directly exposed to the product. The lips, anterior two-thirds of the tongue, gingiva, and buccal mucosa are the tissues that smokers and smokeless tobacco users contact most, so carcinogens such as nitrosamines and polycyclic hydrocarbons cause mutations there over time. These areas have long-standing exposure and a mucosal surface that’s highly susceptible to malignant transformation, making them the typical sites for tobacco-associated cancers. In contrast, cancers of the posterior tongue, molar region, or hard palate are less commonly linked to tobacco exposure as primary sites, though they can occur with other risk factors or different exposure patterns.