Oral Sebaceous Carcinoma: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Sebaceous carcinoma is predominantly known as a cutaneous malignancy, most commonly arising in the periocular region. It is locally aggressive and carries a risk of metastasis. Its occurrence in the oral cavity is exceptionally rare, making it a diagnostic challenge for clinicians and pathologists. Furthermore, recognition of intraoral sebaceous carcinoma is important, as it may be associated with genetic syndromes such as Muir-Torre syndrome, which has broader implications for patient management and family screening. Therefore, awareness of this rare entity in the oral cavity is crucial for timely diagnosis, appropriate therapy, and comprehensive patient care. Objectives: To asses the demographics, clinical and histopathological features, differential diagnoses, treatment approaches, and patient outcomes in oral sebaceous carcinoma. Methods: Case reports and case series of oral sebaceous carcinoma were retrieved through a systematic search of three electronic databases, using the following inclusion criteria – 1) Case reports and case series on patients with intraoral sebaceous carcinoma published between 2000 and 2024. 2) Articles published in English.3) Case reports and case series, including those with literature reviews, published from 2000 to 2024.Reference checks of identified cases were also conducted to aid in snowballing or case networking. Data from 13 selected cases were extracted for analysis. Results: The search strategy retrieved 1,894 articles. After full-text assessment of 123 articles, 13 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. In most studies, the affected region was the upper or lower lip, followed by the tongue and palate. Clinically, on extraoral examination, the lesion appeared as a markedly ulcerated, exophytic, irregularly shaped, indurated mass of varying dimensions. The most common diagnosis was sebaceous carcinoma of the oral region. Conclusion: Oral sebaceous carcinoma is an extremely rare and aggressive malignancy with potential for local recurrence and distant metastasis. Regular follow-up is essential to monitor for recurrence or spread. Increased awareness among clinicians and pathologists of the oral occurrence of sebaceous carcinoma its diagnosis and improve prognosis through timely intervention.