METASTATIC BREAST CARCINOMA TO THE MANDIBLE: A CASE REPORT

Introduction: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women globally, especially in low and middle-income countries due to late presentation and limited access to specialized care. Metastatic spread significantly impacts morbidity and mortality rates. While metastasis in breast cancer commonly targets organs such as the lungs, liver, bones, brain and pleural; occurrences in the oral and maxillofacial region are rare, accounting for only 1-3% of oral malignancies. Here, we report a rare case of mandibular metastasis from breast cancer, a scarcely documented phenomenon in the Sub-Saharan region.

Case presentation: The patient, a 52-year-old postmenopausal woman, initially diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, underwent mastectomy with axillary lymph node involvement and received adjuvant chemotherapy, chest wall radiotherapy and hormonal therapy. Subsequently, she presented with toothache and jaw numbness, and the eventual diagnosis of mandibular metastasis after further workup and imaging. Palliative bone radiotherapy and targeted therapy with ado-trastuzumab emtansine were initiated, resulting in satisfactory disease regression.

Conclusion: Mandibular metastasis, although rare, poses diagnostic challenges due to its resemblance to benign oral conditions. Our case underscores the importance of considering metastatic disease in patients with a history of breast cancer presenting with oral lesions even after having extensive timely treatment, further emphasizing the need for thorough evaluation and prompt intervention.