Metastatic tumors to the oral cavity: a clinical study of 18 cases

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features of 18 cases of metastatic tumors to the oral cavity. The files of patients seen between 1992 and 2009 with oral (soft tissue and jawbones) metastatic lesions were reviewed. Clinical features, including gender, age, site of the primary tumor, site of metastatic tumor and treatment were evaluated. Patients were 11 males and 7 females, with mean age of 64.6 years. In males, most primary tumors originated in the lungs. In females, the lung and breast were the most common sites of the primary tumors. The mandible was the main site for the development of the metastatic lesions and the most common histologic type was adenocarcinoma. Treatment modalities included radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgical resection. Metastatic lesions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of oral lesions, particularly when a previous history of cancer is present.