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Background Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are the most common benign vascular tumors in neonates, with a prevalence of 5-10% in full-term infants. Its occurrence in the palate is rare. While typically self-limiting, complicated IHs can lead to significant morbidity, especially when involving critical structures. Case presentation We report the case of a full-term newborn presenting with a 2×2 cm exophytic lesion on the hard palate, causing feeding difficulties, anemia, and recurrent bleeding. Early administration of oral propranolol, initiated on the 11th day of life, proved effective in managing this complicated IH. The treatment, started at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day and gradually increased to 3 mg/kg/day, resulted in rapid ulceration healing and lesion regression. Follow-up over eight months confirmed the therapy's efficacy and safety, with no adverse effects reported. To contextualize this case, a systematic review of the literature was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, focusing on neonatal IHs of the head and neck treated with beta-blockers. Out of 1052 papers identified between 2015 and 2024, only four relevant studies were included. These cases highlighted propranolol’s role as a first-line treatment for complicated IHs, even in neonates. However, the review also emphasized diagnostic challenges, particularly in atypical locations such as the hard palate, which may delay therapy. Conclusions This case and literature review underscore the importance of early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach for managing high-risk IHs. While propranolol is generally avoided in neonates younger than 45 weeks of corrected gestational age due to potential adverse effects, our findings suggest that close monitoring in a hospital setting enables its safe administration. This report contributes to the growing evidence supporting propranolol as a safe and effective therapy for neonatal IHs and highlights the need for further research to refine treatment protocols for this vulnerable population.

We report a case of difficult-to-control mycosis fungoides (MF), where the role of the dental surgeon was crucial for the control and prognosis of the disease. A 62-year-old female patient diagnosed with MF had a previous record of red patches and small raised bumps on the face, along with a cancerous growth in the cervical and vulvar region. The patient was initially treated with methotrexate and local radiotherapy without resolution. Chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone was then started (CHOP protocol). The dental team of a reference hospital was consulted to evaluate swelling in the anterior region of the palate, which had been developing for two months, reporting discomfort when eating. The role of the dentistry team was fundamental in the differential diagnosis of oral lesions with dental infections, second neoplasia, or even a new site of disease manifestation, in addition to controlling mucosal changes resulting from chemotherapy. After ruling out dental infection, the dentistry team performed a lesion biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. The histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis showed atypical lymphoid infiltration of T cells (CD3+/CD4+/CD7-/CD8-), coexpression of CD25, and presence of CD30 cells, corresponding to the finding for MF. Identifying CD30 + allowed for a new chemotherapy protocol with brentuximab vedotin (BV) combined with gemcitabine. This protocol effectively controlled MF, which previous protocols had failed to do. The diagnosis by the dental team was essential for therapeutic change and improvement of the patient’s clinical condition without the need for invasive medical procedures.

Background Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) is an aggressive salivary gland malignancy and rare in minor salivary gland. A soft palate CXPA initially presenting as direct cavernous sinus (CS) invasion is very rare. Case Presentation A 60-year-old male had a 3-month history of a small soft palatal mass with progressing left cheek numbness, proptosis, and disturbed vision. Biopsy of soft palatal tumor showed pleomorphic adenoma. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a tumor involving left maxilla, and extended from pterygopalatine fossa, inferior orbital fissure to CS. Excision of tumor revealed CXPA. Adjuvant concomitant chemo-radiation therapy (CCRT) was given. The tumor recurred 5 months later in left CS which was re-treated with CCRT. The disease status was stable at 2 years after the diagnosis of CXPA. Conclusion We present this case to emphasize that patients with symptoms such as facial numbness, proptosis and disturbed vision should be carefully investigated for lesions invading CS by perineural spread.

A 76-year-old woman presented with symptoms suggestive of acute sinusitis. Previously, her breast carcinoma was treated with right lumpectomy, adjuvant chemotherapy and breast radiotherapy. She remained free from recurrence for the following 8 years. After initial treatment with antibiotics, the local symptom worsened with exophthalmos, eye blindness and development of an ulceration of the hard palate. MRI showed irregular enhancement of the nasal cavity extended to the maxillary sinus and ethmoidal lamina and concomitant infiltration of the orbit and skull base. A biopsy of the palatal ulcer showed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and was compared with the histology of the primary breast tumour and it was concluded for the same morphology. After discussion at the multidisciplinary team, a specific chemotherapy has been activated with an initial local response. Further surgical resection was not thought appropriate and the patient has subsequently undergone palliative radiotherapy to the right paranasal lesions to improve local disease control.

Background Most of the lymphomas arising in the oral cavity are of B-cell origin. Among these, diffuse large B-cell lymphomas are the most common. Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas may exhibit more than one chromosomal rearrangement and are then referred to as ‘double-hit’ or ‘triple-hit’ lymphomas. Case report We present a case of an intraoral ‘double-hit’ lymphoma in a 76-year-old male who had been referred by an oral surgeon in private practice. Intraoral examination exhibited a firm, exophytic lesion in the region of the right hard palate and buccal mucosa with extension to the soft palate. Radiographic examination exhibited a massive thickening of the right sinus membrane, and arrosion of the lateral and basal cortical sinus walls in the right maxilla. After diagnosis of the lesion, the patient was treated with six cycles of chemotherapy. Discussion Lymphomas arising within the oral cavity account for less than 5% of all oral malignancies and typically affect the palatine tonsils and the palate. ‘Double-hit’ lymphomas are associated with older age, usually present with an advanced stage of disease, and show an aggressive clinical behaviour. They normally have a poor prognosis, even when treated with intensive chemotherapy regimens. Nevertheless, in the case presented, the patient was free of symptoms 1 year after initial diagnosis.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 28 patients—15 men and 13 women, aged 17 to 71 years (mean: 41.6)—who had undergone surgery for the treatment of a benign tumor of the hard or soft palate. The most common chief complaint was a palatal mass, which was reported by 14 patients (50.0%). Tumors were more common in the hard palate than in the soft palate by a margin of 23 to 5 (82.1 to 17.9%; p = 0.001). The most common histopathologic diagnosis was pleomorphic adenoma, which occurred in 9 cases (32.1%). Most patients were treated with local excision with clear margins, which was sufficient in almost all cases, as there were only 2 recurrences, both of which occurred in men with a hard-palate pleomorphic adenoma. For these 2 patients, a wider excision and repair with palatal islet flaps was performed, and no further recurrence or malignant transformation was observed during follow-up. Two patients with a soft-palate hemangioma were treated with an intralesional steroid injection and radiofrequency ablation, which reduced the size of their lesion considerably.

Various techniques have been used to repair maxillary defects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of pedicled temporal musculoperiosteal flap (PTMF) and free calvarial bone graft for the reconstruction of maxillary defects. In this retrospective series, 34 patients operated on from 1995 to 2006 at Turku University Central Hospital because of defects of maxilla reconstructed using PTMF with or without free calvarial bone graft were evaluated. The diagnosis, the indication for surgery, the location and staging of the tumours, and the type of radiotherapy used were reviewed. The classification of the maxillary defects was performed according to the classification of Brown (Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 40:183–190, 2002 ) and the success rates of the reconstructions were evaluated. Of the patients, 32 had been operated on due to a malignant tumour, one due to a benign tumour and one due to posttraumatic palatal defect. Preoperative radiotherapy ( n  = 14), preoperative chemoradiotherapy ( n  = 2) or postoperative radiotherapy ( n  = 11) had been used in the tumour group. As a reconstructive method, PTMF had been used with ( n  = 21) or without ( n  = 13) free calvarial bone graft. The use of free calvarial bone graft did not have a significant effect on flap survival. At 1-month follow-up, the flap survival in the 32 patients was 71.9%, whereas 28.1% of the patients suffered from partial flap loss, but there was no total flap loss. At 6-month follow-up, the flap survival in 26 patients was 76.9%, whereas 7.7% of the patients suffered from partial flap loss, and there were four (15.4%) total flap losses. If unilateral alveolar maxillectomy had been performed (Brown classification a), at 1-month follow-up, the flap survival was 82.6%, 17.4% of the patients suffered from partial flap loss, and there was no total flap loss. At 6-month follow-up, the flap survival was 89.5%, while 10.5% of the patients suffered from partial flap loss, and there was no total flap loss. The application of PTMF with or without free calvarial bone graft for reconstruction of limited palatal and maxillary defects appears to be feasible.

A rare case of granulocytic sarcoma of the hand and palate, also known as chloroma, occurring in an adolescent patient is presented. Diagnostic clinical criteria, along with treatment pictures, are also reviewed.

Acute development of cardiomyopathy and occlusive thromboembolic events following cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is rare but frequently lethal. The authors report the successful management of such an event in a 52-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate. The possible pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed.

Background Mucosal melanoma, an aggressive type of malignancy different from the cutaneous melanomas commonly seen in the head and neck region, represents < 1% of all malignant melanomas. The pathogenesis of mucosal melanoma is unknown. Targetable mutations commonly seen in cutaneous melanoma, such as in the BRAF and NRAS genes, have a lower incidence in mucosal melanoma. Mucosal melanoma carries a distinct mutational pattern from cutaneous melanoma. Surgery with negative margins is the first-line treatment for mucosal melanoma, and systemic therapy is not well defined. Talimogene laherparepvec, an oncolytic viral immunotherapy, is United States Food and Drug Administration approved for the treatment of advanced malignant cutaneous melanoma, with local therapeutic benefits. Mucosal melanoma was initially excluded from talimogene laherparepvec’s initial phase III clinical trial. Case presentation We present the case of a white female patient in her 40s with past medical history of systemic lupus erythematous, scleroderma, and estrogen-receptor-positive invasive ductal breast carcinoma. Following a bilateral mastectomy, the patient was found to have BRAF -negative mucosal melanoma of her hard palate with a soft palate skip lesion. Owing to the presence of a skip mucosal lesion as well as the anticipated defect and need for free-flap reconstructive surgery, nonsurgical management was considered. The patient was referred to medical oncology, where—based on the patient’s complicated medical history and the risk of immunotherapy possibly worsening her prior autoimmune diseases—local talimogene laherparepvec injections were chosen as the primary therapy for her mucosal lesions. Though talimogene laherparepvec is approved for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma, there are limited data available on the use of talimogene laherparepvec in mucosal melanomas. Conclusion The patient had a complete local tumor response at both the primary lesion as well as the skip lesion with the local injections. She had no side effects and maintained a high quality of life during treatment.