Description

Metastatic jaw lesions are uncommon in relation to the overall spectrum of oral malignancy. They originate from a variety of organs such as breast, kidney, lung, stomach, uterus, liver and others with varied histology and present with quite erratic clinical symptoms and signs in addition to radiographic appearances which are not diagnostic since they impersonate malignant and benign tumors, cysts, inflammatory reactions of oral cavity and systemic diseases and en suite in the differential diagnosis. Mandible is predominantly involved than maxilla and oral mucosa often may be involved secondarily by extension from the metastatic foci in the jaws. Thus biopsy is essential for the establishment of the diagnosis. A complete survey of other organs is also imperative in determining the treatment because oral involvement occurs as multiple metastases. It can be said that meticulous work-up of jaw lesions suspected of being metastatic, may be life saving or extend the patient's survival period. Prognosis is invariably grave in cases of oral metastasis.