title: A case of squamous cell carcinoma presenting as localized severe periodontitis in the maxillary gingiva.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity. The clinical features of gingival SCC include alveolar bone loss and erythematous lesion. Therefore, gingival SCC sometimes presents as advanced periodontitis. This case report describes a patient diagnosed with gingival SCC after the extraction of molars presenting as being affected by localized severe periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient was a 61-year-old man whose chief complaint was pain in the left maxillary area. Clinical and radiographic examinations revealed common findings of a periodontal abscess on the left maxillary first and second molars. These teeth were extracted based on a diagnosis of a periodontal abscess. Three months later, a rapidly growing exophytic soft tissue mass was observed, and a biopsy of the mass was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the biopsy, the final diagnosis was a well-differentiated SCC. The patient was treated with a partial maxillectomy of the left maxilla and split-thickness skin graft. Two years after treatment, the patient remained free of recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gingival SCC is quite different from other forms of SCC, mimicking localized periodontal disease. Therefore, it can be misdiagnosed as localized periodontal disease and is generally discovered after extracting teeth. Therefore, clinicians must diagnose these lesions carefully and follow up with the patient after tooth extraction.
authors: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Dental Science Research Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
authors: Ok-Su
authors: OS
authors: Kim
authors: So-Won
authors: SW
authors: Uhm
authors: Sang-Chul
authors: SC
authors: Kim
authors: Bo-Ah
authors: BA
authors: Lee
authors: Ok-Joon
authors: OJ
authors: Kim
authors: Young-Joon
authors: YJ
authors: Kim
authors: Hyun-Ju
authors: HJ
authors: Chung
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000175:diagnosis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D010508:Periodontal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000175:diagnosis; D014081:Tooth Extraction