Squamous cell carcinoma appearing as peri-implant bone loss: A case report

Abstract

Although loss of bone around an endosseous implant may occur secondary to infectious or mechanical etiologies, it is rarely associated with the presence of a malignancy. Prior reports of squamous cell carcinoma around dental implants, either endosseous 1 Clapp C Wheeler JC Martof AB et al. Oral squamous cell carcinoma in association with dental osseointegrated implants. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996; 122: 1402 Crossref PubMed Scopus (32) Google Scholar or transosseous, 2 Friedman KE Vernon SE Squamous cell carcinoma developing in conjunction with a mandibular staple bone plate. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1983; 41: 265 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (30) Google Scholar , 3 Moxley JE Stoelinga PJW Blijdorp PA Squamous cell carcinoma associated with a mandibular staple implant. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1997; 55: 1020 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (24) Google Scholar indicate that a prior history of cancer, a significant smoking history, or spontaneous occurrence in nonsmokers can be linked to such squamous cell carcinomas. Presenting signs in the previously reported cases include nonhealing ulcerations, a pathologic fracture through the implant site, or constant gingival irritation that was refractory to conservative therapy. This case report describes a patient with a long-standing history of leukoplakia and distant verrucous cell carcinoma who had peri-implant bone loss develop in a span of 5 months.