Metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon presenting as periradicular periodontal disease: a case report.

Metastases to the jaws account for only 1% of all malignant tumors of the oral cavity. Consequently the diagnosis of metastasis to the mandible requires a high degree of clinical suspicion and the use of a systematic diagnostic approach. In this case report a patient sought treatment for what appeared clinically and radiographically as periradicular periodontal disease. However, because the patient had a medical history of adenocarcinoma of the colon 5 years previously, metastasis to the jaws was included in the differential diagnosis. Metastasis to the jaws may resemble periodontal disease or many of the other benign and malignant conditions that affect the jaws, thus making the correct radiographic diagnosis difficult. Ultimately, histologic evaluation is essential to make a definitive diagnosis.