Temporomandibular joint disorder related to cancer metastasis: A review on reported cases in the literature

Abstract Introduction Metastasis to the temporomandibular joint is an uncommon clinical entity that often mimics benign temporomandibular disorders, leading to diagnostic challenges. This systematic review aimed to consolidate the existing literature on temporomandibular joint metastasis to delineat...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hamed Mortazavi, Anita Taheri, Sara Alehossein, Mehdi Hashemi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-08-01
Series:Saudi Dental Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44445-025-00043-w
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849332103192248320
author Hamed Mortazavi
Anita Taheri
Sara Alehossein
Mehdi Hashemi
author_facet Hamed Mortazavi
Anita Taheri
Sara Alehossein
Mehdi Hashemi
author_sort Hamed Mortazavi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Metastasis to the temporomandibular joint is an uncommon clinical entity that often mimics benign temporomandibular disorders, leading to diagnostic challenges. This systematic review aimed to consolidate the existing literature on temporomandibular joint metastasis to delineate its clinical and demographic characteristics, diagnostic pitfalls, and treatment approaches. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase electronic databases. Two independent reviewers screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts of 3,659 articles, ultimately selecting 47 articles encompassing 55 reported cases. Results The analysis revealed a mean patient age of 61.8 ± 13.99 years, with a slight female predominance. Lung and breast cancers were the most common primary sites, with adenocarcinoma being the predominant histopathological type. Clinically, pain, swelling, and restricted mouth opening were the most frequently observed symptoms, although a subset of patients presented with atypical features. Notably, in 49% of cases, TMJ metastasis was detected prior to the diagnosis of the primary malignancy. Multimodal treatment, incorporating combinations of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, was the most common therapeutic approach.
format Article
id doaj-art-27aa7ebd1825483e9b4cc1f65adf7a95
institution Kabale University
issn 1013-9052
2524-1702
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Springer
record_format Article
series Saudi Dental Journal
spelling doaj-art-27aa7ebd1825483e9b4cc1f65adf7a952025-08-20T03:46:20ZengSpringerSaudi Dental Journal1013-90522524-17022025-08-01377-911610.1007/s44445-025-00043-wTemporomandibular joint disorder related to cancer metastasis: A review on reported cases in the literatureHamed Mortazavi0Anita Taheri1Sara Alehossein2Mehdi Hashemi3Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesSina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical SciencesSchool of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesDental Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Introduction Metastasis to the temporomandibular joint is an uncommon clinical entity that often mimics benign temporomandibular disorders, leading to diagnostic challenges. This systematic review aimed to consolidate the existing literature on temporomandibular joint metastasis to delineate its clinical and demographic characteristics, diagnostic pitfalls, and treatment approaches. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase electronic databases. Two independent reviewers screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts of 3,659 articles, ultimately selecting 47 articles encompassing 55 reported cases. Results The analysis revealed a mean patient age of 61.8 ± 13.99 years, with a slight female predominance. Lung and breast cancers were the most common primary sites, with adenocarcinoma being the predominant histopathological type. Clinically, pain, swelling, and restricted mouth opening were the most frequently observed symptoms, although a subset of patients presented with atypical features. Notably, in 49% of cases, TMJ metastasis was detected prior to the diagnosis of the primary malignancy. Multimodal treatment, incorporating combinations of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, was the most common therapeutic approach.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44445-025-00043-wCancerMetastasisTemporomandibular JointAdenocarcinoma
spellingShingle Hamed Mortazavi
Anita Taheri
Sara Alehossein
Mehdi Hashemi
Temporomandibular joint disorder related to cancer metastasis: A review on reported cases in the literature
Saudi Dental Journal
Cancer
Metastasis
Temporomandibular Joint
Adenocarcinoma
title Temporomandibular joint disorder related to cancer metastasis: A review on reported cases in the literature
title_full Temporomandibular joint disorder related to cancer metastasis: A review on reported cases in the literature
title_fullStr Temporomandibular joint disorder related to cancer metastasis: A review on reported cases in the literature
title_full_unstemmed Temporomandibular joint disorder related to cancer metastasis: A review on reported cases in the literature
title_short Temporomandibular joint disorder related to cancer metastasis: A review on reported cases in the literature
title_sort temporomandibular joint disorder related to cancer metastasis a review on reported cases in the literature
topic Cancer
Metastasis
Temporomandibular Joint
Adenocarcinoma
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44445-025-00043-w
work_keys_str_mv AT hamedmortazavi temporomandibularjointdisorderrelatedtocancermetastasisareviewonreportedcasesintheliterature
AT anitataheri temporomandibularjointdisorderrelatedtocancermetastasisareviewonreportedcasesintheliterature
AT saraalehossein temporomandibularjointdisorderrelatedtocancermetastasisareviewonreportedcasesintheliterature
AT mehdihashemi temporomandibularjointdisorderrelatedtocancermetastasisareviewonreportedcasesintheliterature