Oral squamous cell carcinoma associated with symphyseal dental implants: an unusual case report.
BACKGROUND
The development of squamous cell carcinoma (SCCa) around dental implants is an uncommon pathological manifestation. This case report describes a patient with history of oral lichen planus (OLP) and previous SCCa of the gingiva who developed SCCa adjacent to symphyseal implants.


METHODS
An 81-year-old edentulous woman with history of OLP developed an in situ SCCa on the left mandibular edentulous ridge. One of the authors, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, performed a marginal mandibular resection of the lesion. Functional oral rehabilitation was achieved by means of two endosseous symphyseal implants. Three years after the patient underwent implant-supported reconstruction, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon detected an exophytic mass adjacent to the right implant and diagnosed it as recurrent SCCa. Two of the authors performed a marginal mandibular resection. One year later, the patient developed a recurrence over the resected area, requiring segmental mandibulectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report demonstrates that recurrent primary malignancy can masquerade as benign peri-implant complications. A high degree of vigilance is required in the follow-up of patients with previous cancer or premalignant lesions.
Gallego
Lorena
L
Oral and Maxillofacial Department, University Central Hospital, Oviedo University, Catedrático José Serrano Street, Oviedo, Spain.
Junquera
Luis
L
Baladrón
Jaime
J
Villarreal
Pedro
P
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
D015921:Dental Implants