Cancer Reports · Published 2026-08-01 · DOI 10.1002/cnr2.70644
Toniya Raut, Neetu Jain, Shashi Keshwar, Ashok Dongol, Mehul Rajesh Jaisani, Yamuna Agrawal, Mona Dahal
ABSTRACT Background Oral carcinoma cuniculatum (OCC) is a rare subtype of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). It is characterized by a locally aggressive, burrowing lesion associated with an osteolytic defect yet lacks obvious cytological atypia. Although OCC has been described in the literature, its rarity, clinical unfamiliarity, and distinct burrowing pattern frequently result in misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis during incisional biopsy. Case Description This report describes a case of OCC arising on the residual alveolar ridge of a 71‐year‐old male. Microscopic similarities between conventional SCC and verrucous carcinoma obscure the subtle yet pathognomonic features of OCC. Notably, this case also demonstrates perineural invasion, a finding rarely associated with OCC. Conclusion Oral carcinoma cuniculatum remains underexplored and overlooked. This report aims to contribute to the scientific literature by emphasizing diagnostic procedure, highlighting the rarity, and deceptive clinical and histopathological features of OCC. It underscores the importance of considering OCC in the differential diagnosis when repeated incisional biopsies fail to confirm malignancy in a clinically suspicious lesion.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
Read the article at the publisher →
Raut, T., Jain, N., Keshwar, S., et al. (2026). Oral Carcinoma Cuniculatum: Diagnostic Challenges and Emerging Perspectives—Case Report. Cancer Reports. https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.70644