Background: Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung is a very rare type of tumor characterized by distant metastasis. However, metastasis to the gingiva is an uncommon event. Occasionally, an oral metastatic lesion may be the preliminary clinical feature observed before the diagnosis of the primary tumor.
Methods: The clinical features of gingival metastasis as an initial presentation of lung sarcomatoid carcinoma are discussed. A 55-year-old male patient presented with a rapidly growing pedunculated exophytic mass on the gingiva at the left side of the lower jaw. Incisional biopsy was performed.
Results: The histologic and immunohistochemical diagnosis was metastatic carcinoma. To locate the primary tumor, we analyzed the lung lesion by chest computerized tomography (CT) scans and biopsy. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung with gingival metastasis. Palliative chemotherapy for lung cancer was administered. The gingival lesion disappeared after chemotherapy.
Conclusion: Although this case is unusual, periodontists should recognize that gingival masses similar to benign or inflammatory lesions may represent an initial sign of underlying malignant tumors.