Malignant tumors rarely arise from jaws cyst. We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from a nasopalatine duct cyst. A 70-year-old man presented with a swelling in the palatal gingiva at the middle of the maxilla. Oral examination showed a 28×25mm swelling with a puncture mark, asmooth surface, and normal color. Radiographic examination revealed a round translucent image measuring 15×12mm in diameter in the middle of maxilla. The image was clearly demarcated. Under general anesthesia, extirpation of the cyst was performed for a diagnosis of nasopalatine canal cyst. Histopathological examination of the resected specimens showed transition of histologically normal cystic epithelium to squamous cell carcinoma. After the first operation, partial resection of the maxilla was performed. Three months after the partial resection, left jugular lymph node metastasis was detected. Partial neck dissection, chemotherapy, and irradiation were performed. Twelve months after partial resection of the maxilla, right jugular lymph node metastasis was found. Radical neck dissection was performed.
For 2 years 4 months, there was no disease recurrence. However, the patient died due of pneumonia on April 13, 2002.
