Jaw metastasis as first presentation of lung adenocarcinoma - a case report

Abstract

A B S T R A C T Metastatic disease of the oral cavity is rare and constitutes 1 % of all oral cavity malignancies. Lung cancer is the most common primary site metastasizing to the jaws, especially in man, and the mandible is more affected than the maxilla. We present the case of a 64 year-old-female patient who was admitted to hospital complaining of pain and swelling located to the left mandibular ascending ramus and angle, with 7 month duration. The first differential diagnosis was between primary malignances of the oral cavity, but the biopsy revealed a carcinoma of unknown origin. Further investigation revealed an advanced stage primary adenocarcinoma of the lung. Oral metastasis are usually evidence of a widespread disease and indicate a poor prognosis. As consequence, the treatment modalities for these patients are palliative in most cases. The clinical case of a 41-year-old male evaluated for a tumor in the attached gingiva with previous periodontal treatment and a history of kidney transplantation is described. Excisional biopsy was performed with a diagnosis of KS, which after completing the study confirmed disseminated iatrogenic-type KS requiring a change in immunosuppressive medication and 6 cycles of chemotherapy treatment with complete response.