Oral metal contact allergy: a pilot study on the cause of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Intraoral metal contact allergy may result in mucositis that mimics lichen planus and the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma.


METHODS
Clinical records of all patients examined in the departments of dermatology and otorhinolaryngology at a tertiary-care academic medical center between June 1994 and June 2000 who had a diagnosis of intraoral squamous cell carcinoma adjacent to a metal dental restoration and who were patch tested with our metal series were reviewed retrospectively. Eleven patients met the inclusion criteria.


RESULTS
Ten patients (91%) had positive patch tests to metals. In eight (73%), the oral cancer was adjacent to a dental restoration containing a metal to which the patient was allergic. Prevalence of gold, mercury, silver, and copper allergy among these patients was substantially higher than that reported in the available worldwide patch-test clinic population.


CONCLUSIONS
Contact allergy to metal dental restorations may be a risk factor for development of intraoral squamous cell carcinoma.
Hougeir
Firas G
FG
Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.
Yiannias
James A
JA
Hinni
Michael L
ML
Hentz
Joseph G
JG
el-Azhary
Rokea A
RA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D010328:Patch Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D008670:Metals