Objective: To determine whether OSCC patients have a significantly higher incidence of metal contact allergy than non-cancer patients.
Methods: Three groups of patients were recruited into the study: 1) patients with biopsy-proven OSCC adjacent to gold restorations, 2) patients with biopsy-proven OSCC and no adjacent gold restorations and 3) patients with no history of OSCC with gold restorations. The patients from the three groups were tested for contact dermatitis to gold, silver, palladium, and copper- metals found in high alloy gold crowns. History of tobacco and alcohol use was documented. Contact allergy was assessed using Finn Chambers on Scanpor tape. Allergens, which consist of dilute solutions of each metal, were applied to the chambers and adhered to patients' backs for 48 hours. Reactions to the metals were evaluated 4 and 7 days post patch placement. The dermatologist evaluating the reactions was blinded to patients' diagnosis.
Results: 18 subjects were evaluated for allergies to the metals in gold restorations: 3 from group 1, 11 from group 2, and 4 from group 3. 2 out of 3 of the patients with gold restorations adjacent to OSCC tested positive to the metals in gold crowns.
Conclusions: In this pilot study a higher incidence of metal contact allergy was observed in patients with OSCC adjacent to gold restorations. The trends support further enrollment and evaluation of subjects.