Page 146 - 7. FINAL draft Compendium 2019 2020_22072022

GINGIVAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE ANTERIOR MANDIBLE MIMICKING A
REACTIVE GINGIVAL GROWTH: A CASE REPORT

Jaafar MA, Ling SW, Ahmad A, Rahman FA

Introduction: Gingival overgrowth is commonly encountered in dental practice and
frequently associated with various benign reactive gingival lesions. The incidence of oral
malignancy presenting on gingiva is very low. Gingival Squamous Cell Carcinoma,
constituting less than 10% of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, which may mimic a varied
number of gingival lesions ranges from benign reactive inflammatory lesions to less likely
malignancy. Case report: A 46-year-old woman was referred to the Sibu Periodontal
Specialist Clinic with a complaint of recurrent gum swelling for the past three months in
the lower front teeth region after a piece of food (apple) stuck in between the lower
incisors. Medically, she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. She was a housewife with no
risk habits (non-smoker and non-drinker). Intraorally, an irregular sessile erythematous
growth was noted at the attached gingiva of the mandibular incisors. On palpation, the
lesion was firm with rough irregular texture on the surface. The lesion was well demarcated
from the surrounding normal mucosa. The teeth were firm, non-mobile and no tenderness
on vertical and lateral percussion. Periapical radiograph examination showed evidence of
minimal horizontal bone loss. Excisional biopsy was performed, and the histopathologic
analysis confirmed the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was immediately
referred to the Oral Maxillofacial and Surgery (OMFS) department at Sibu Hospital for
further needful management. Conclusion: This report emphasizes that although is
uncommon, squamous cell carcinoma of gingiva may occur and may mimic an
inflammatory process.

Dr Mohamad Adib Jaafar
Periodontal Specialist Clinic of Mak Mandin
Penang
Ministry of Health Malaysia

Dr Ling Siew Wong
Oral and Maxillofacial Department
Sibu Hospital
Sarawak
Ministry of Health Malaysia
Dr Aisah Binti Ahmad
Periodontal Specialist Unit of Jalan Masjid
Sarawak
Ministry of Health Malaysia,

Dr Fairuz Abdul Rahman
Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Sabah
Ministry of Health Malaysia

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