Challenges in primary biopsies of oral squamous cell carcinoma: a comparative study of factors affecting biopsy success in Finnish patients.

This article focuses on factors influencing the success of primary biopsies in diagnosing oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) among Finnish patients. The retrospective study of 312 cases found that 7.7% of initial biopsies were inconclusive, with higher failure rates in biopsies from the gingiva and floor of the mouth, while tongue and palate biopsies had higher success. Punch and scalpel biopsy methods showed similar diagnostic reliability, though punch biopsies yielded smaller samples. The study highlights the importance of obtaining sufficiently large and deep biopsy samples, especially from challenging anatomical sites, and recommends more precise biopsy guidelines and structured pathology reporting to improve early OSCC diagnosis and treatment planning.