Oral Metal Contact Allergy: A Cause of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

OBJECTIVES:

• Identify the relationship between intraoral metal contact allergy and epithelial carcinogenesis in patients with newly or previously diagnosed intraoral squamous cell carcinoma.
• Compare the prevalence of metal contact allergy in these patients with control data from other existing study populations.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

• Participants undergo metal patch testing using 27 metals* commonly used in dental repairs that are part of the Mayo metal series. Metal patches are applied to the patient's back for 3 days and the back is read on days 3 and 5. Relevant patient data obtained from their medical and dental history, physical exam, laboratory values and treatment are documented.

NOTE: *Healthy volunteers (control) undergo metal patch testing using 8 metals most commonly positive for contact allergens.