Extensive carcinoma cuniculatum of the mandible

Carcinoma cuniculatum (CC) is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma first described in 1954. Cases of CC in the head and neck are exceedingly rare, with 66 cases reported since 1977. These tumors are generally low-grade, well-differentiated and locally aggressive malignancies. Patients are often subjected to a long period of misdiagnoses given the clinical similarity of these entities to odontogenic cysts and abscesses. We report a case of a carcinoma cuniculatum of the mandible with very advanced local involvement of disease, highlighting the unusual characteristics of this rare tumor that are important for clinicians to recognize. Clinical presentation, histology, risk factors, treatment options, and prognosis are also reviewed.