LAUSR

OBJECTIVES Describe the epidemiological profile of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) around dental implants (DI), investigate the spectrum of clinical and pathological characteristics, and discuss the implications of diagnosis delay of these lesions. METHODS Retrospective analysis of patients treated of OSCC adjacent to DI at A.C. Camargo Cancer Center between 2009 and 2020. RESULTS 31 patients were identified, being women the majority (58.1%). The mean age of the patients was 68.8 years. Never smoker corresponds to 46.9% and never alcohol consumer to 54.9% of the sample. OPMD was reported in 45.2% of patients, affecting mainly women (78.5%). Leukoplakia (63.7%) followed by oral lichen planus (36.3%) were the most common OPMD found in women. OSCC adjacent to DI occurred in the inferior gingiva/alveolar mucosa in 48.3% of cases, and ulceration was the most common clinical appearance (87%). Peri-implantitis (PI) was initial clinical diagnosis in 16.1% of cases. CONCLUSIONS OSCC adjacent to DI were more common in women over 70 years old, non-smokers and non-drinker, and the majority had oral leukoplakia before the diagnosis of OSCC. OSCC may present clinical and radiographic features that resemble PI which can delay the diagnosis and impair the prognosis.