Metastatic chondrosarcoma to the maxilla: review of the literature and report of case.

Metastatic tumors to the jaw are relatively uncommon. When they occur, the primary tumor is most likely to be an adenocarcinoma from the breast, lung, or kidney. Metastatic tumors most frequently involve the mandible rather than the maxilla. The route of metastasis is considered hematogenous, although spread via lymphatic channels or the vertebral venous plexus may occur. An unusual instance of primary chondrosarcoma of the scapula metastasizing to the maxilla and to various soft tissue sites from tumor emboli, probably arising from an extensive metastatic lesion of the left atrium of the heart, has been presented.