Neurofibromas of the Oral Cavity: Clinical Aspects, Treatment, and Outcome

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of diode laser for the surgical treatment of neurofibromas (NF), in terms of clinical outcome and therapeutic success. BACKGROUND DATA: The NF is a benign tumor of the peripheral nerve sheath, characterized by the proliferation of Schwann cells, perineural cells, and endoneural fibroblasts. NF may occur as a solitary lesion, or as part of a generalized neurofibromatosis syndrome; much more rarely it occurs in the form of multiple neurofibromas with no associated syndrome. Two distinct variants of neurofibromatosis have been described: types I and II. METHODS: Ten cases are reported (6 women and 4 men, age range 43-70 years) with smooth, painful, or painless lesions of the oral mucosa. Lesions were completely excised using a diode laser at 980 nm wavelength, average power 2.0 W, in continuous wave mode, with 320 μm optical fibers, for 45 sec average time. RESULTS: Complete healing occurred within 20 days. There were no adverse effects; patients were carefully followed up and there have been no recurrences after an interval of 3 months to 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this diode laser treatment of NF demonstrate good effectiveness of this novel therapy, which may replace conventional surgical procedures.