Non-small cell lung cancer metastasis to the oral cavity: a case report

Abstract

Lung cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer, remains prevalent in Australia and has a very poor survival rate. Metastases to the oral cavity are a rare occurrence that can arise from lung cancers. This case report describes the presentation of a metastatic lesion from a poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinoma on the mandibular buccal alveolar attached gingivae. The inpatient had terminal disease with known pleural, brain and liver metastases and was receiving palliative care at the time of diagnosis of the oral lesion.Keywords: Adenocarcinoma, cancer, oral metastasis.Abbreviations and acronyms: ALK = anaplastic lymphoma kinase; CT = computed tomography; EBUS = endobronchial ultrasound scan; EGFR = epidermal growth factor receptor; IHC = immunohistochemistry; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; NSCLC = non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small-cell lung cancer metastasis to the oral cavity: A case report

“…This distant spread indicates that cancer cells may reach numerous sites in the entire body via the bloodstream and the lymphatic system. Of note, as observed in our patient, the majority of patients with oral cavity metastasis from a primary cancer share 4 characteristics: i) Lung adenocarcinoma, ii) development of oral metastasis during the clinical course of the disease, iii) accompanying multiple metastatic lesions, including to the brain and abdomen, and iv) rapid fatal progression after the manifestation of oral metastasis (3,5,7,(18)(19)(20).…”

“…This distant spread indicates that cancer cells may reach several sites throughout the body via the bloodstream and the lymphatic system (1,2). Similar to other malignant diseases, oral metastasis from lung cancer reflects the progression of the primary malignancy, and the majority of such patients present with multiple metastatic sites (3,4). Recently, however, some researchers reported patients with no metastasis other than to the oral cavity (5)(6)(7).…”

A Case of Oral Metastasis From Hepatocellular Carcinoma Displayed on 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging

“…The metastases to the oral cavity from the lungs, breast, kidney, rectosigmoid colon, liver, and bone are sporadically reported. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary liver malignancy, frequently with abdominal lymph nodes, adrenal gland, lungs, and bones metastases during the course of disease. 10,11 In contrast, the oral cavity is a very unusual site of metastasis from HCC.…”

Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma to the Oral Cavity

“…The lesion may be misdiagnosed as a benign lesion or was delayed in diagnosis because the patient often does not complain of any symptoms at the early stages. Lung cancer has increased in incidence throughout the 20th century and is now the second most common cancer in the world [4]. It has a poor prognosis, as only 10-15% of patients survive for 5 years or longer [2].…”

“…They tend to metastasize early to cervical lymph nodes. Only 1-3% of all malignant oral neoplasms are metastatic lesion [1][2][3][4], which commonly involve the jawbones and soft tissues. The primaries are usually from breast, lung, kidney, thyroid gland, intestine, prostate gland, stomach, testis and bladder [2].…”