Maxillofacial metastases: a retrospective review of one institution's 15-year experience

Abstract

Purpose: Metastasis to the maxillofacial region is a rare occurrence. In our retrospective study of patients with metastasis to the maxillofacial region, the subjects were evaluated to define the clinical behavior patterns in response to the treatment given.

Materials and methods: A retrospective record review during a 15-year period (1990 to 2005) was conducted. The patients were selected for inclusion in the present study if they had histologically confirmed maxillofacial metastases.

Results: In our retrospective study, during the 15-year period, 1,221 new patients with maxillofacial/oral cancer were seen and evaluated. Of these 1,221 patients, 26 (16 men and 10 women) were identified as having a histologically confirmed metastasis to the maxillofacial region, for an incidence of 2.1%.

Conclusions: Patients with metastasis to the maxillofacial region are often deemed to not be surgical candidates because of the extensive nature of the metastatic disease. We believe that surgical intervention plays a beneficial role in improving quality of life in a properly selected group of patients with metastasis to the maxillofacial region. In our case series, surgery was performed in about 50% of the patients, and palliation and radiotherapy were the most commonly used modalities.