Relationship between oral cancer and implants: clinical cases and systematic literature review

Abstract

The use of implants for oral rehabilitation of edentulous spaces has recently been on the increase, which has also led to an increase in complications such as peri-implant inflammation or peri-implantitis. Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for developing oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Objectives: To review the literature of cases that associate implant placement with the development of oral cancer.

Study design: We present two clinical cases and a systematic review of literature published on the relationship between oral cancer and implants.

Results: We found 13 articles published between the years 1996 and 2009, referencing 18 cases in which the osseointegrated implants are associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Of those, 6 articles were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Of the 18 cases reported, only 7 cases did not present a previous history of oral cancer or cancer in other parts of the body.

Conclusions: Based on the review of these cases, a clear cause-effect relationship cannot be established, although it can be deduced that there is a possibility that implant treatment may constitute an irritant and/or inflammatory cofactor which contributes to the formation and/or development of OSCC.

Figure 1

Clinical case no.1. A) Appearance of the lesion at the time of diagnosis. B) Above lesion after 2 months. C) Appearance of the tongue 2 months after treatment.

Figure 2

Clinical case no.2. A) Appearance of the lesion at the time of diagnosis. B) Biopsy of the suspected area. C) Histological image showing moderately differentiated OSCC.