Abstract
Background
Metastasis of a malignant tumor to the oral cavity is rare and can indicate an unknown
primary tumor.
Methods
Described is a case of metastatic tumor in the right jaw. The patient was a 50-year-old
woman who consulted her dentist with complaints of tooth pain and an abscess. The
clinical examination showed an abscess around the mandibular right first molar and
second premolar tooth. Teeth were extracted and two periapical, nontypical cystic
lesions were excised.
Results
The histopathological analysis revealed mucinous malignant cells embedded in an inflammatory
infiltration and fibrinous tissue. The diagnosis was metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma.
The lesion at the apex of teeth was the initial presenting site of the patient’s lung
cancer. There was no other site of metastasis.
Conclusions
There are typical dental apical cysts that do not usually require a histopathological
examination, but mucinous and nontypical cysts must be sent for a histopathological
examination. The case emphasizes the important role of dentists in diagnosing metastatic
oral lesions and shows that even apparently benign atypical lesions in healthy patients
need to be examined histopathogically.
Key Words
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© 2011 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
