Oral squamous cell carcinoma in the vicinity of dental implants.

OBJECTIVES

The study at hand presents a cohort of patients treated for carcinomas in the vicinity of dental implants for identification of potential risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The retrospective analysis covers patients treated for peri-implant carcinoma at our department between 1995 and 2011. An additional literature search focused likewise on peri-implant carcinomas. Obtained articles were screened for relevant risk factors and discussed in relation to our patient cohort.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients were treated for peri-implant carcinoma. Six reported ongoing alcohol/tobacco consumption. Nine had a previously reported carcinoma of whom six had received radiotherapy after surgery. Time from implant placement until carcinoma diagnosis was 53.4 months on average. The literature search revealed 25 patients with peri-implant carcinoma and one with a sarcoma. Eight patients reported alcohol/tobacco consumption. Most patients exhibited risk factors for possible malignant transformation: previous carcinoma (n = 12), lichen (n = 4), irradiation (n = 3), and leukoplakia (n = 3). The average time until diagnosis was 51.6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking, alcohol consumption, and the history of previous carcinoma characterize patients at risk for a peri-implant carcinoma. A balanced gender ratio might point at a higher risk for woman and additional risk factors promoting carcinogenesis apart from tobacco and alcohol consumption, a novel finding that has to be proven by larger patient counts.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The incidence of carcinomas next to dental implants is low but may attain clinical relevance with raising implant figures worldwide. Patients at risk potentially profit from individualized recall intervals and careful evaluation.