Neurofibromas of the Oral Cavity: Clinical Aspects, Treatment, and Outcome

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of diode laser for the surgical treatment of neurofibromas (NF), in terms of clinical outcome and therapeutic success. The NF is a benign tumor of the peripheral nerve sheath, characterized by the proliferation of Schwann cells, perineural cells, and endoneural fibroblasts. NF may occur as a solitary lesion, or as part of a generalized neurofibromatosis syndrome; much more rarely it occurs in the form of multiple neurofibromas with no associated syndrome. Two distinct variants of neurofibromatosis have been described: types I and II. Ten cases are reported (6 women and 4 men, age range 43-70 years) with smooth, painful, or painless lesions of the oral mucosa. Lesions were completely excised using a diode laser at 980 nm wavelength, average power 2.0 W, in continuous wave mode, with 320 μm optical fibers, for 45 sec average time. Complete healing occurred within 20 days. There were no adverse effects; patients were carefully followed up and there have been no recurrences after an interval of 3 months to 3 years. The results of this diode laser treatment of NF demonstrate good effectiveness of this novel therapy, which may replace conventional surgical procedures.