Concurrent Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Maxilla: A Case Report and Literature Review

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are widely used for osteoporosis and cancer-induced bone diseases due to their antiresorptive properties, yet they pose risks such as medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). We present a unique case of concurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and MRONJ in a 72-year-old female chronically treated with oral ibandronate for osteoporosis. Following a dental extraction, she developed a nonhealing wound in the maxilla. Following conservative treatment, the patient underwent a maxillectomy and extensive tissue reconstructions to control her infection and address suspicions of an underlying malignancy. Histopathological examinations confirmed simultaneous osteonecrosis and well-differentiated SCC in the maxillary sinus and surrounding tissues. Despite multiple surgeries, the patient's disease progressed rapidly. Upon examining the literature for patients with a history of BP use diagnosed with MRONJ and/or SCC, a total of 16 cases report a diagnostic dilemma between MRONJ and locoregional SCC. Three of the 16 cases report a final diagnosis of concurrent MRONJ and SCC. This report is the fourth reported case of concurrency to date. The patient's complex clinical course underscores the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic dilemmas in managing concurrent MRONJ and SCC, highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring and interdisciplinary collaboration in similar cases.