Gingival Metastasis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Secondary oral cavity neoplasms are rare. We describe a case of an indurated, nonulcerating gingival lesion in a 59-year-old nonsmoking man with no family history of lung cancer. The lesion was the presenting symptom of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. Reviewing the literature, we find that primary lung cancer among men is one of the most common cancers to metastasize to the oral cavity. Renal and cutaneous neoplasms are the next most common neoplasms to metastasize to the oral cavity. Furthermore, the gingiva, a tissue prone to inflammation, is noted to be a common site for secondary oral cavity neoplasms. This rare case highlights that metastases should influence the clinician's differential of oral mucosal lesions.