Temporomandibular disorders associated with metastases to the temporomandibular joint: a review of the literature and 3 additional cases.
BACKGROUND
Metastases involving the oral cavity account for 1% to 8% of all malignancies in the oral cavity Involvement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is uncommon.


RESULTS
We conducted a review of the literature between 1954 and 2008 regarding metastases to the TMJ. In total, 48 patients were found and in 28 patients a previous history of malignant neoplasm was known. The primary tumor was most commonly found in the breast (34%), followed by the lung (21%). Adenocarcinoma was predominant (72.97%). Three new patients with TMJ pain as a first symptom for a disseminated tumor are also examined here.


CONCLUSIONS
Establishing an exact diagnosis of metastatic lesions in the TMJ can provide a diagnostic challenge. Clinicians should include the suspicion of cancer in the differential diagnosis, in particular when patients have a previous history of malignant neoplasm or do not respond to treatment appropriately.
Kruse
Astrid L D
AL
Department of Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, University of Zurich, Switzerland. astrid.kruse@usz.ch
Luebbers
Heinz-Theo
HT
Obwegeser
Joachim A
JA
Edelmann
Lars
L
Graetz
Klaus W
KW
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000556:secondary*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology*; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*