Condylar metastasis from prostatic carcinoma mimicking temporomandibular disorder: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Although metastatic carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the bone, less than 1% of all metastatic bone lesions are presented in the maxillofacial area. As the mandibular body is the most frequent localization, metastasis to the mandibular condyle is extremely rare.


METHODS
This report describes a rare case of prostate carcinoma metastatic to the mandibular condyle in a 75-year old man, who was referred because of persistent pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region and a limitation of opening, initially misdiagnosed and treated as temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Histopathological examination confirmed the suspected metastasis of prostate carcinoma and local radiation therapy was performed.


CONCLUSIONS
TMD represent a diagnostic challenge and sometimes an interdisciplinary approach is required to prevent a delay of the correct treatment. Metastatic cancer should be included in the differential diagnosis of TMD, especially in patients with a malignant disease.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Tuebingen, Osianderstrasse 2-8, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany. c.freudlsperger@gmail.com
Christian
C
Freudlsperger
Ralf
R
Kurth
Matthias K
MK
Werner
Juergen
J
Hoffmann
Siegmar
S
Reinert
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D059186:Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy