Myiasis Associated with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma - A Literature Review

Abstract

Advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a possible risk factor for myiasis, a parasitic infestationof vital tissue of humans or other mammals by dipterous larvae (maggots). Oral myiasis is a rare entity, andis mostly associated with various medical and anatomical conditions, such as neglected mandibular fracture,lip incompetence, cerebral palsy, poor oral hygiene, suppurative lesions, and cancerous wounds. Larvae causeitching and irritation due to their crawling movements and can destroy vital tissues, inducing serious or evenlife-threating hemorrhage. The aim of the present article was to highlight the occurrence of oral myiasis inassociation with squamous cell carcinoma and also to highlight the treatment and preventive approaches forsuch cases. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE for articles published in English relating to theoccurrence of oral myiasis in oral SCC. Our search revealed 6 reports on myiasis associated with oral SCC. Thesurgical debridement of infected tissue with the removal of maggots is the treatment of choice in most cases oforal myiasis.