Metastatic Thyroid Carcinoma Presenting as Hypervascular Lesion of the Mandible: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Mandibular metastasis with the thyroid gland as the primary site is a rare event, and the reported incidence is estimated at approximately 1%. 1 Meyer I. Shklar G. Malignant tumors metastatic to mouth and jaws. J Oral Surg. 1965; 20: 350 Abstract Full Text PDF Scopus (265) Google Scholar In 29% to 33% of cases, the metastatic lesion might be the first indication of an undiscovered primary malignancy at a distant site. 2 Lim S.Y. Kim S.A. Ahn S.G. et al. Metastatic tumors to the jaws and oral soft tissues; A retrospective analysis of 41 Korean patients. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2006; 35: 412 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (68) Google Scholar , 3 Hirshberg A. Leibovich P. Buchner A. Metastatic tumors to the jaw bones: Analysis of 390 cases. J Oral Pathol Med. 1994; 23: 337 Crossref PubMed Scopus (228) Google Scholar , 4 Peacock T.R. Fleet J.D. Condylar metastasis from bronchogenic carcinoma. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1982; 20: 39 Abstract Full Text PDF Scopus (22) Google Scholar Because of the bloodstream dissemination of these lesions, most are a consequence of the follicular variant of thyroid carcinomas, which are highly prone to cause vascular invasion and may present as hypervascular lesions mimicking arteriovenous malformations. We present one such rare case of a hypervascular osteolytic lesion of the mandible that proved to be a metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC).