[Metastatic tumors of the gingiva--report of 3 cases]

Metastatic tumors to the oral region are uncommon and most are located in the mandible, with only a few in the soft tissue of the oral cavity. A review of the literature has revealed only 63 cases of a gingival soft tissue metastases. The prevalent primary site are the lung, the liver and the kidney in that decreasing order. Reported are two lung carcinomas and an esophageal carcinoma all showing a metastases to the gingival soft tissue. The primary lesions of two lung carcinomas were diagnosed after the detection of the gingival lesions. In all cases the diseases had disseminated when the gingival metastases were diagnosed. The longest survival time was only 4 months. The prognosis for such cases is poor, but early diagnosis and treatment is essential in order to prevent the pain and discomfort associated with the ulceration, the infection, and the local tissue destruction by the lesions.