title: Malignant tumours presenting after dental extraction: a case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present the clinical spectrum of malignant neoplasms detected after extraction of teeth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic and clinical data of patients diagnosed with malignant neoplasms related to a history of tooth extraction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients with histopathologically confirmed tumours detected after extraction of teeth were studied. There were 11 males and one female giving a male to female ratio of 11:1. They ranged in age from 15-85 years with a mean age of 53 years. Pain and swelling were the most common presenting complaints. The mandible was more often involved seven (58.3%) cases while five (41.7%) cases occurred in the maxilla. Squamous cell carcinoma (in 9 cases) was the most common malignant neoplasm among these patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malignant tumours can mimic periapical infections necessitating a high index of suspicion when faced with toothache of uncertain cause.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 1154, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: o N
authors.initials: oN
authors.lastname: Obuekwe
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Akpata
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ojo
authors.forename: I U
authors.initials: IU
authors.lastname: Madukwe
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Osaguona
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009549:Nigeria; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D014081:Tooth Extraction