Oral squamous cell carcinoma around dental implants

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Oral Medicine
• Dental Implantology

Background:

• Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is linked to smoking, alcohol, and premalignant lesions.
• Osseointegrated dental implants are seldom associated with OSCC.
• Risk factors for oral cancer include leukoplakia, oral lichen planus (OLP), and prior upper respiratory/gastrointestinal malignancies.

Observation:

• This article details two cases of OSCC adjacent to dental implants in high-risk patients.
• One patient was a heavy smoker with OLP; the other had a history of oral and colon cancer.
• A literature review identified six additional cases of malignancy near dental implants, most with known oral cancer risk factors.

Findings:

• Malignancy adjacent to dental implants is a rare occurrence.
• Most reported cases involve patients with at least one recognized risk factor for oral cancer.
• OSCC can present subtly, mimicking peri-implant disease in at-risk individuals.

Implications:

• Patients with a history of oral cancer risk factors presenting with failing dental implants require thorough evaluation for malignancy.
• Early detection of OSCC near dental implants is critical, especially in high-risk populations.
• This highlights the importance of considering malignancy in the differential diagnosis of failing dental implants in susceptible patients.