Metstatic papillary thyroid carcinoma to maxilla: a rare case

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Oral Pathology
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• Metastatic tumors to the oral cavity are infrequent, accounting for approximately 1% of all oral malignancies.
• While oral metastases can originate from various primary sites, involvement of the maxilla is particularly uncommon.
• Metastases from thyroid carcinoma to the oral region are exceptionally rare.

Observation:

• A case report of a 43-year-old woman with papillary thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the maxillary right posterior alveolar process and sinus is presented.
• The metastatic lesion presented as a distinct oral manifestation of a known thyroid malignancy.
• Clinical and radiological findings are detailed to illustrate the presentation of this rare metastasis.

Findings:

• Papillary thyroid carcinoma demonstrated metastatic potential to the maxillary bone and sinus.
• The case underscores the diverse clinical presentations of metastatic oral disease.
• Histopathological confirmation of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma in the maxillary tissue was achieved.

Implications:

• This case emphasizes the necessity of including systemic metastasis in the differential diagnosis for unexplained jaw lesions, particularly in patients with a history of cancer.
• Early recognition of oral metastases can facilitate timely diagnosis and management of the primary malignancy.
• The review of metastatic oral disease broadens understanding of the spectrum of cancer spread to the oral cavity.