Pathologic fracture of mandibular condyle due to carcinoma of the rectum

A case of pathologic fracture of a mandibular condyle due to a primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum is presented. This is the first reported case of a secondary adenocarcinoma from the rectum to this site. Secondary metastases to the condyles are extremely rare. Only twelve have been reported in the literature. The primary tumor was from an unknown site in three cases (anaplastic adenocarcinoma); from the breast in four; and from the lung, liver, prostate, uterus, and hallux (a malignant melonama) in the remainder. Only of these tumors presented as a condylar fracture, and that was from a primary breast adenocarcinoma.