Mucinous adenocarcinoma of lung presenting as oral metastases: a case report and literature review.

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.