Tongue Metastasis of Mucinous Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Report of a Rare Case.

Abstract

Metastases in the oral and maxillofacial region, particularly in soft tissues, are exceedingly rare. Such metastases can present as swelling in older individuals, especially in the tongue and gingiva. Furthermore, colorectal metastases at this site are commonly found in the mandible and gingiva and usually share the same morphology as the primary tumor. Herein, we report the case of a 61-year-old woman with a metastatic nodule in the tongue covered by normal mucosa. The clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings were essential for the final diagnosis of colorectal metastasis, consistent with adenocarcinoma with mucinous differentiation and intestinal phenotype. Metastases of colorectal adenocarcinoma to the tongue are rare but should be included in the differential diagnosis of nodular lesions at this site. The diagnosis can therefore be made based on meticulous clinical and histopathological examination complemented by immunohistochemistry.