Metastatic adenocarcinoma of the jaws of unknown origins

 H. A. El-Abdin, BDS, FDSRCS
College of Dentistry, King Saud University, P.O.Box:60169, Riyadh 11545, Saudi Arabia

Metastatic malignant tumors from distant primary focci to the bones and soft tissues of the jaws and the oral cavity are very rare with only few cases reported yearly. The diagnosis of these tumors is not a problem,however, the location of the primary focci may be the real problem. In most cases, oral metastasis is the first sign of a malignant tumor. This usually indicates a widespread lesion of poor prognosis and high mortality rate. The purpose of this article is to draw the attention of oral and maxillofacial surgeon to this unusual tumor category of the oral cavity, and to emphasize the complementary relation between oral surgery and other branches of the medical profession.

Saudi Dental Journal 1990;2(3):116-119.