Nodular fasciitis of the face: aesthetic considerations.

Nodular fasciitis is an uncommon tumor-like fibroblastic proliferation that occurs rarely in the head and neck region. A new case of nodular fasciitis occurring in the cheek of a 56-year-old woman is reported. The case was characterized by dental trauma preceding the appearance of the lesion (extraction of tooth 35). Histologically, the lesion consisted of proliferating fibroblasts and myofibroblasts presenting clinically as a rapidly growing subcutaneous nodule. A conservative surgical excision with curettage is the treatment of choice, and the lesion usually does not exhibit a tendency to recur. The clinical relevance of this condition relies on the fact that both the disorder and its surgical treatment may cause tissue distortion resulting in aesthetic compromise. Furthermore, it needs to be differentiated from malignancy due to its very rapid growth, its rich cellularity, and its high mitotic activity. Both of these aspects, i.e. aesthetic implications and differential diagnosis, have been discussed.

Carcinogen metabolism, DNA damage repair and oral head and neck squamocellular carcinoma (HNSCC). A review.

Head and neck squamocellular carcinoma (HNSCC) has now become the 6th most common cancer among men in the developed world and affects the oral cavity, salivary glands, larynx and pharynx. Tobacco chewing, alcohol consumption and last but not least, smoking seem to be the most important risk factors. In particular in non-drinkers, smoke increases the relative risk (RR) of developing HNSCC of the oral cavity and pharynx from 2 to 20 fold; especially in the oral cavity, the association between alcohol and smoke could have a multiplier effect. Cancer arises from damage to DNA of genes located at various points of the short (p) and long (q) arms of a number of chromosomes, caused by exposure to various carcinogens. Thus, the carcinogenic process requires continuous exposure to environmental carcinogens (i.e., longstanding history of smoking and drinking), an increased susceptibility to carcinogens (induced by xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme polymorphism) and an impaired DNA repair capacity (both inherited and acquired). Our purpose in this paper is to review advances in the understanding of the role of the European or Caucasian genetic aberrations that affect carcinogen metabolism and DNA repair genes in oral HNSCC development: we consider that those abnormalities will be useful in assessing individuals at risk.

[Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor. A case report]. / Tumore odontogeno adenomatoide. Presentazione di un caso clinico.

The adenomatoid odontogenic tumor is a benign bony lesion of the maxilla and mandible, it represents 3% of all odontogenic tumors, and is more frequent in females in their second decade of life. It affects mainly the maxilla associated with embedded teeth, often canines, but it also occurs in the mandible, especially in the anterior region. It originates from epithelial cells of the dental lamina complex system, but the histologic feature with gland-like structures explains its name and classification. Clinically silent, it is often discovered during radiological examinations as a well defined unilocular radiolucent image. The definitive diagnosis is obtained by histological examinations, which allow the differential diagnosis from other bony lesions. Treatment must include close examinations, such as axial and coronal CT scanning and eventually 3D reconstruction. Histological examination with a preoperative biopsy suggests a conservative surgical treatment consisting of a simple enucleation for the low incidence of recurrence. A clinical case is presented with peculiar features different from that reported in letterature.