Myiasis associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma - A literature review

Advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a possible risk factor for myiasis, a parasitic infestation of vital tissue of humans or other mammals by dipterous larvae (maggots). Oral myiasis is a rare entity, and is 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 cause itching and irritation due to their crawling movements and can destroy vital tissues, inducing serious or even life-threating hemorrhage. The aim of the present article was to highlight the occurrence of oral myiasis in association with squamous cell carcinoma and also to highlight the treatment and preventive approaches for such cases. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE for articles published in English relating to the occurrence of oral myiasis in oral SCC. Our search revealed 6 reports on myiasis associated with oral SCC. The surgical debridement of infected tissue with the removal of maggots is the treatment of choice in most cases of oral myiasis.