title: Metastatic cervical carcinoma of the jaw presenting as periapical disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present a case report of a metastasis from cervical cancer to the maxilla, which was misdiagnosed as periapical disease and to caution clinicians that metastases could have a disguised clinical presentation that must be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of periapical disease in oncologic patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although metastatic tumours of the jaws are uncommon, they may mimic benign inflammatory processes and reactive lesions. The ability of metastatic lesions to mimic periapical disease is discussed and a brief review of the literature is presented, emphasizing the importance of correct diagnosis to prevent delay in diagnosing cancer. Attention should therefore be given to the patient's medical history, especially of those with a previous history of cancer, and all dental practitioners should be aware of the possibility of metastases that may be confused with periapical disease. Finally, endodontists are well placed to recognize malignant and metastatic oral lesions during the initial clinical stages, given that their treatments are usually based on frequent dental appointments and long-term follow-ups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Semiology and Oral Pathology Areas, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors.forename: V R
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3736-4433
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Torregrossa
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Semiology and Oral Pathology Areas, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Semiology and Oral Pathology Areas, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bicudo
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Semiology and Oral Pathology Areas, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Semiology and Oral Pathology Areas, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Semiology and Oral Pathology Areas, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Semiology and Oral Pathology Areas, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Santos-Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: carcinoma; cervical cancer; endodontics; metastasis; periapical disease