title: Osteosarcoma of the jaws: a review of literature and a case report on synchronous multicentric osteosarcomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the head and neck region, osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor, representing 23% of total head and neck malignancies. Osteosarcomas of the jaws are nevertheless rare lesions, representing only 2 to 10% of all osteosarcomas. This report reviews a single-center histopathology experience with craniofacial osteosarcomas, and reports the management of unusually large synchronous mandibular and maxillary osteosarcomas in a patient.
  
  
  METHODS
  A search of the hospital pathology database for specimens with a histological diagnosis of osteosarcomas submitted between July 1992 and May 2011 was made. A chart review of a patient with large synchronous maxillary and mandibular osteosarcomas was performed, and is reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 21-year-old African man with large maxillary and mandibular tumors under palliative care presented with increasing difficulties with eating, speech, and breathing. Surgical debulking was performed, with histology confirming synchronous osteosarcomas of the mandible and maxilla. The patient is well after one year, with no evidence of recurrence, having undergone no further treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteosarcomas of the jaw remain enigmatic, and a number of difficulties related to their diagnosis and treatment are yet to be resolved. True synchronous multicentric osteosarcomas of the jaws are extremely rare but, like other osteosarcomas of the jaws, have a favorable outcome, and palliative resection of such lesions, though challenging, can therefore lead to an enormously improved quality of life and self-image, and may even offer the opportunity for cure.
authors.affiliation: Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery Unit, AIC Kijabe Hospital, Kijabe, Kenya, 00220, Africa. nthumba@gmail.com
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Nthumba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography