Finding the Way Back Home: Report of 2 Cases of Oral Metastasis

Around 1-1.5 % of all malignant tumors in oral cavity are caused by metastatic dissemination to this region. Lung, kidney, breast, bone and colorectal regions are primary sites which act as source of metastases to oral cavity. Similarly, metastasis from primary oral malignancy to distant sites is not uncommon with metastasis mainly occurring to lung, followed by bone and liver. Here we report 2 cases showing different primary origins but presentation in oral cavity being the first symptom. One case is of an 82 year old male with a complaint of swelling in right mandible and a diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma metastasizing to oral cavity was established. The other case presented here is of a 42 year old male with pain and swelling in right mandible. The diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma was made and a full body scan helped in early identification of metastatic deposits in lung. Despite the infrequent occurrence of metastases in oral region, dental surgeon should be aware of the possibilities for correct diagnostic conduction and subsequently, the initiation of treatment in early stages of disease.