The wearing of piercings on tongue, lips, cheeks and frenuluns have become more popular and may cause complications in oral tissues, such as inflammatory reaction. Oral pyogenic granuloma can occur in lips, tongue, buccal mucosa and most often on the gingiva, which corresponds to 75% of all cases. The present study report a case of pyogenic granuloma in tongue due to the use of oral piercing. It is important that professionals and public are aware of the possible complications related to the use of this intra-oral ornament.

Background The aim was to examine the interval since first symptoms until final diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the head and neck region in southern Brazil. Material and Methods The individuals were prospectively selected and underwent anamnesis, physical examination and interview in the first medical consultation at a Cancer Hospital from south of Brazil. Results From 488 patients who underwent clinical examination, 105 were included in the study with diagnosis of SCC. Patients average interval from first symptoms to final diagnosis was 152 days (median 86; max:1105; min: 1), the average professional interval was 108 days (median: 97; max:525; min: 1) , and the average total period interval was 258 days (median: 186; max:1177; min: 45). Factors statistically associated with patient and diagnosis itinerary intervals were smoking and poorly adapted dentures and distance from home to hospital, respectively. Conclusions The identification of the itinerary characteristics of this specific population may reflect in more effective public policies, such as primary and secondary prevention programs, aiming to increase the survival of oncological patient. Furthermore, the knowledge of the variables that influence the late diagnosis minimizes patient's journey in search of care to cancer centers through health programs. Key words: Head and neck cancer, time interval, time to diagnosis, diagnosis delay, squamous cell carcinoma.