Oral squamous cell carcinoma around dental implants: a systematic review

Objective. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the epidemiologic profile, screen for possible risk factors, and evaluate the spectrum of clinical characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) around dental implants (DIs). Methods. The systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses statement. Results. Thirty-three articles met the eligibility criteria. In total, the sample consisted of 63 patients, and women comprised the majority (55.5%). The mean age of patients was 66.7 years. Oral potentially malignant disorders were reported in 46% of patients, of which 65.5% occurred in women. The most common lesion found in women was oral lichen planus (52.6%). In 88.8% of patients OSCC around DIs occurred in the mandible, and the most common clinical appearance of the lesions was an exophytic mass (46%). Most of these lesions were initially treated as peri-implantitis. Conclusions. Most patients with OSCC around DIs were women without known risk factors. It is important to emphasize that these lesions may present clinical and radiographic features that could resemble peri-implantitis, which can lead to delay in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2021;131:660-674) Cancer of the oral cavity is the most common malignancy among head and neck tumors.1,2 Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents the majority of histologic subtypes and has a poor prognosis.3,4 This type of cancer is more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries and has a higher incidence in men over 50 years of age.1,2,5 Tobacco and alcohol are considered the main risk factors for oral cancer and have a synergistic effect on