Metastatic colon carcinoma to oral soft tissues

Oral cavity colon adenocarcinoma metastases: case report with surgical approach and review of more than 30 years literature

INTRODUCTION

Metastatic oral tumours are rare, contributing to 1% of all malignant oral cavity tumours.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 59-year-old man with colon cancer at an advanced disease stage, with progression to the peritoneum and maxillary gingiva. Palliative surgery was indicated to improve the patient's quality of life.

DISCUSSION

In a review of the literature, we compiled a list of 27 cases (including the present case) reflecting some 30 years of literature on oral cavity metastatic disease originating in colon cancer.

CONCLUSION

Oral cavity metastasis should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of a synchronous or metachronous oral cavity lesion. The therapeutic goal should include palliative alternatives when necessary. Intraoral reconstruction using local flaps may be a simple and reliable palliative resection option aimed at improving the patient's quality of life.

Metastatic lesion of the anterior mandible with an occult primary: a case report

Metastatic tumors to the oral cavity are relatively uncommon and account for about 1% of all oral cancers. Distant metastases to the jawbone are associated with a poor prognosis and a survival rate that is usually less than one year. The leading common primary sites for these lesions are the breast in females and the lung in males followed by the adrenals, kidneys, prostate, thyroid and colon. In 30% of all cancers, a metastatic lesion could be the first sign of a primary tumor elsewhere in the body. Metastatic lesions to the jaws are known to simulate periodontal and pulpal disease and other radiolucent lesions that can occur in the jaws. Microscopic evaluation with concurrent radiographic skeletal survey is warranted in patients where a metastatic lesion is suspected.

Papillary cystadenocarcinoma arising from minor salivary glands in the anterior portion of the tongue: a case report

Papillary cystadenocarcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm of the salivary gland. We report a case of papillary cystadenocarcinoma arising from the minor salivary gland in the anterior portion of the tongue of a 72-year-old male patient with a history of adenocarcinoma of the colon and prostate. Further, we discussed histopathological and clinical features of this lesion, and reviewed the literature.

Metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma to the maxilla

We present a unique case of metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma to the hard palate and the maxillary sinus, a case that to our knowledge has not been reported before. Various malignant tumours that metastize to the maxilla are reviewed, and the therapeutic approach to follicular thyroid carcinoma metastasis to that area is also discussed. Follicular thyroid carcinoma should be included in the list of tumours that metastasize to the maxilla.

The need for health promotion in oral cancer prevention and early detection

OBJECTIVES

This review paper provides a rationale for using health promotion to help reduce morbidity and mortality due to oral cancers by identifying barriers to prevention and early detection of these cancers and discussing strategies for change.

METHODS

A literature review of the following areas was conducted: epidemiology of and risk factors for oral cancers; knowledge, opinions, and practices of health care providers and the public regarding prevention, early detection, and control of oral cancers; and policies and regulations that either enhance or act as barriers to the prevention and early detection of oral cancers.

RESULTS

Overall, the public is ill-informed about risk factors for and signs and symptoms of oral cancers and relatively few US adults have had an oral cancer examination. Further, health care providers are remiss in providing oral cancer examinations and detecting early oral cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

To achieve the 13 oral cancer objectives contained in "Healthy People 2000," health care providers and the public must know the risk factors for these cancers as well as their signs and symptoms. Further, health care providers need to provide oral cancer examinations routinely and competently. Equally important, the public needs to know that an examination for oral cancer is available and that they can request one routinely. Thus, a vigorous agenda that includes education, policy, and research initiatives is needed to enhance oral cancer prevention and early detection.