Breast metastasis around dental implants: a case report

Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2007 Jun;9(2):112-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1708-8208.2007.00033.x.

Abstract

Background: Metastases to the oral cavity and to the jaws are rare; hence, the clinical manifestations of the oral metastasis lesion could frequently be simulating general pathologic entities, making the diagnosis a challenging process to the dental team. Local factors, such as trauma, have been observed to facilitate the growth of blood-borne tumors. To this end, surgical procedures such as fixture placement might cause cancer cells to spread.

Purpose: Careful clinical examination is a valuable help in diagnosing oral lesions, which can improve the quality of life of patients and reduce the risks of oral complications.

Materials and methods: A female patient was referred to the clinic with symptoms of irritation, swelling, and pain associated with implants in the mandible and the maxilla.

Results: Clinical examination, x-ray, and histopathology revealed that the patients suffered from a metastatic lesion, primary tumor being an adenocarcinoma of the breast diagnosed at the same time.

Conclusion: Optimal clinical examination in conjunction with radiography and histopathology is a necessity in order to discover malignant lesions in time. Routine dental check-ups must comprise more thorough soft-tissue examination.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Dental Implants*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Gingival Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Humans
  • Mandible
  • Maxilla
  • Palliative Care

Substances

  • Dental Implants