THE MULTIDISCIPLINARITY IMPORTANCE IN REHABILITATION AFTER THE VERRUCOUS CARCINOMA DIAGNOSIS: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Verrucous carcinoma of the oral cavity is low-grade and a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma. This lesion is described as malignant, exophytic, slowly growing, and locally invasive. The following case aims to report how the lesion localization and tissue healing led to a difficult rehabilitation. An 86-year-old, Caucasian female patient was referred for rehabilitation after having performed partial maxillectomy. Before surgery, a unique lesion with an irregular appearance and with papillary projections was observed. Histologically, it has shown epithelial ridges without significant dysplasia and keratin plugs. Her clinical history was collected and confronted with the anatomopathological exam, confirming verrucous carcinoma in the anterior maxillary ridge. A second surgical intervention, using high-intensity laser therapy, was necessary to improve the maxilla into a better prosthetic bed, increasing retentive areas. A healing guide plate was installed in the immediate post-surgery time to support the tissue before implementing the reparatory prosthesis. Verrucous carcinoma of the oral cavity is low-grade and a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma. This lesion is described as malignant, exophytic, slowly growing, and locally invasive. The following case aims to report how the lesion localization and tissue healing led to a difficult rehabilitation. An 86-year-old, Caucasian female patient was referred for rehabilitation after having performed partial maxillectomy. Before surgery, a unique lesion with an irregular appearance and with papillary projections was observed. Histologically, it has shown epithelial ridges without significant dysplasia and keratin plugs. Her clinical history was collected and confronted with the anatomopathological exam, confirming verrucous carcinoma in the anterior maxillary ridge. A second surgical intervention, using high-intensity laser therapy, was necessary to improve the maxilla into a better prosthetic bed, increasing retentive areas. A healing guide plate was installed in the immediate post-surgery time to support the tissue before implementing the reparatory prosthesis.