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Papillary squamous cell carcinoma presenting on the gingiva
Saba M Khan1, Michael K Gossweiler, Susan L Zunt
1Department of Periodontics, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA.
Journal of Periodontology
|December 8, 2005
Summary
Papillary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC), a rare cancer, can occur on the gingiva. This case highlights the importance of histopathologic examination for diagnosing suspicious oral lesions, even in periodontics.
Area of Science:
- Oral Pathology
- Oncology
- Periodontology
Background:
- Papillary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma, typically affecting the larynx, oropharynx, and nasopharynx.
- This report details an unusual case of PSCC manifesting on the gingiva, a site less commonly associated with this cancer.
Observation:
- A 72-year-old female presented with tooth mobility and an erythematous, papillary gingival lesion.
- Initial differential diagnoses included verrucous or metastatic carcinoma.
- Clinical examination revealed Miller's Class 2 mobility and a suspicious papillary lesion on the lingual gingiva.
Findings:
- Microscopic evaluation confirmed a neoplastic papillary proliferation characteristic of PSCC.
- Surgical intervention involved extraction of a mobile tooth and excisional biopsy of the gingival lesion.
- The patient underwent block resection of affected teeth and a radical neck dissection.
Implications:
- This case underscores that oral cancers, including PSCC, can present in the periodontium.
- Periodontists must maintain vigilance for periodontal bone loss and consider malignancy in differential diagnoses.
- Histopathologic examination is crucial for accurate diagnosis of suspicious oral lesions.