Malignant Lesions Steven R. Singer, DDS

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Definitions Malignant Lesions Steven R. Singer, DDS srs2@columbia.edu 212.305.5674 Malignancies are uncontrolled growths of tissue Primary tumors represent de novo tumors in their initial site Metastatic tumors originate from distant primary growths Malignancies are generally classified by tissue of origin Four Categories 1. Carcinomas (epithelial origin) 2. Sarcomas (mesenchymal origin) 3. Hematopoietic origin 4. Metastases Definitions Clinical Presentation of Malignant Lesions Displaced or mobile teeth Ulceration Foul odor Swelling Paresthesia Dysesthesia Pain Dysgeusia (decreased taste) Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) Dysphonia (difficulty speaking) Dysphasia (impaired speech) Exposed bone Poorly healing or nonhealing surgical or trauma sites Sensory or neural deficits Weight loss Hemorrhage Clinical Presentation of Malignant Lesions Onset of symptoms of malignancies is often rapid Prevalence of oral malignancies is low. Due to lack of experience, detection is often delayed. This results in larger tumors, metastases, and poorer prognosis Survival rates for oral cancers have not improved over the years. This is thought to be due to late diagnosis The Role of Radiology Initial Diagnosis Spread of the lesion Size and location of the lesion for surgical planning 1

Radiographic features of oral malignancies Location Varies depending on the type. Carcinomas: soft tissue locations Sarcomas: mandible and posterior region of jaws Metastatic lesions : common in the posterior mandible and maxilla and within the follicles of developing teeth Radiographic features of malignancies Periphery and shape Ill defined border with lack of cortication and absence of encapsulation. Associated nonhealing soft tissue ulceration and or swelling is highly suggestive Shape is generally irregular Radiographic features of malignancies Internal Architecture As most malignancies do not produce bone or stimulate the formation of reactive bone, internal aspect is typically radiolucent Lesions such as osteosarcomas produce frank sclerosis, whereas some tumors such as prostate and breast metastatic lesions can induce bone formation at distant sites Radiographic features of malignancies Effects on adjacent structures Ill-defined, invasive borders Bone destruction Adapted from White & Pharoah, fifth edition Radiographic features of malignancies Effects on adjacent structures Radiographic features of malignancies Effects on adjacent structures Destruction of cortical borders Soft tissue mass Adapted from White & Pharoah, fifth edition Invasion of PDL Widened PDL space Adapted from White & Pharoah, fifth edition 2

Radiographic features of malignancies Effects on adjacent structures Radiographic features of malignancies Effects on adjacent structures Destruction of bone at apices Displacement of developing tooth Adapted from White & Pharoah, fifth edition Teeth appear to float due to bone destruction Adapted from White & Pharoah, fifth edition Radiographic features of malignancies: Effects on cortical bone Cortical bone destruction without periosteal reaction Laminated periosteal reaction + cortical bone destruction Codman s triangle Sunray or sunburst periosteal reaction Adapted from White & Pharoah, fifth edition Codman's triangle Codman's triangle is the radiographic appearance of the rim of new subperiosteal bone which forms when a lesion such as a tumor lifts the periosteum away from the bone. The small triangle of bone is seen at the advancing margin of the lesion. The three main causes for a Codman's triangle are: Ewing's sarcoma Subperiosteal abscess Layering of the new bone may result in an "onion skin" appearance. Source: http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk Carcinomas Lesions of Epithelial Origin 3

Malignant tumor from surface epithelium Invades Deeper soft tissue Connective tissue Underlying bone Local and regional nodes Metastases to liver, lung, and skeleton Clinical Appearance Red, white, or mixed lesion Ulcerated Indurated or rolled borders Can be painful or painless Rubbery or hard lymph nodes that are fixed to underlying structures. Usually occurs in patients >50 years More common in males Location Radiographic features Location Often on lateral border of the tongue Therefore, it is seen radiographically in the posterior mandible Lesions in lip and floor of the mouth may invade anterior mandible Ginigival lesions may initially mimic periodontal disease Radiographic features Shape and Borders Commonly irregular and ill-defined borders Finger-like projections demonstrating invasion Occasionally, the lesion may have smooth borders, indicating erosion Pathologic fractures may occur. Sharp, thin edges may be evident Radiographic features Internal architecture Squamous cell carcinoma tends to be completely radiolucent. There may be trapped pieces of residual bone within the lesion 4

Radiographic features Effects on adjacent structures Periodontal ligament space will initially appear to widen. Eventually, teeth will appear to float in the lesion, and may be displaced as lesion expands Tumor may spread along the mandibular canal, giving a widened appearance Adjacent cortical borders may be effaced (destroyed) Images courtesy of Ashai University School of Dentistry 5

Soft tissue origin Invasive from the floor of the mouth Case courtesy of Dr. Maano Milles, Dept of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery UMDNJ Soft tissue origin Soft tissue origin Presurgical panoramic radiograph Cropped panoramic radiograph Originating in a cyst Uncommon lesion May arise from Periapical inflammatory cysts Residual cysts Dentigerous cysts Odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) Originating in a cyst Clinical Features Pain Dull Several months duration Swelling Pathological fracture Regional lymphadenopathy Maxillary lesions may invade sinus 6

Originating in a cyst Location Tooth-bearing areas Most occur in the mandible Shape and Borders Initially indistinguishable from a cyst. Smooth, corticated and hydraulic Advanced lesions are ill-defined, diffuse, and lack cortication Originating in a cyst Internal Architecture Entirely radiolucent Effect on adjacent structures Destroys cortices and adjacent lamina dura of teeth. Capable of destroying alveolar processes Residual cyst with Squamous Cell Carcinoma Residual cyst with Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cropped panoramic radiograph Originating in bone Originating in base of the tongue Adapted from White & Pharoah, fifth edition 7

Central Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Central Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Epithelial tumor arising in bone Possibly originates from pluripotential odontogenic epithelium or from the lining of a cyst Leaves cortical plates intact Central Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Clinical Features Mimics benign lesions such as a cyst or tumor Painless swelling May displace teeth or cause asymmetry May cause tenderness or paresthesia More common in females Central Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Location Twice as common in the mandible than the maxilla Usually in the premolar or molar region Occurs superior to the mandibular canal. This might indicate odontogenic origin Central Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Borders and shape Unilocular or multilocular mass Thick, corticated borders Internal architecture Multilocular soap bubble appearance similar to ameloblastoma or odontogenic myxoma Septae are from remodeled residual bone Central Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Effects on adjacent structures Expands buccal and lingual cortices Expands inferior border of mandible May thin or scallop cortices Similar effects to benign tumors 8

Central Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Central Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Case courtesy of the Korean Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology Cropped panoramic radiograph Case courtesy of White & Pharoah, fifth edition The boy is right. We must take a break. Sarcomas Lesions of Mesenchymal Origin Malignant neoplasm of bone New bone is produced by the lesion (not by reactive bone formation of surrounding osteoclasts) Three major types 1. Chondroblastic 2. Osteoblastic 3. Fibroblastic 9

Clinical Features Rare. Jaws account for only 7% of all osteosarcomas 2:1 Male: Female ratio Peak in 4 th decade Initially reported due to swelling or bleeding Location More common in the mandible Usually arises in the posterior mandible. The molar areas and ramus are most commonly affected In maxilla, usually arises in the posterior. The ridge, sinus, and palate are most commonly affected Borders and shape Ill-defined Radiolucent without capsule or surrounding osteosclerosis If the periosteum is involved, sunray spicules (aka: hair-on-end trabeculae, or orthoradial striations) may be present Internal architecture May be radiolucent, mixed density, or completely opaque May have varied osseous appearances, such as granular, cotton wool, wisps, etc. In all cases, normal trabeculation is lost Effects on adjacent structures Widening of the PDL Destruction of cortices May destroy or widen the cortex of the inferior alveolar canal Codman s triangles are seen PA View Images courtesy of Nagasaki University School of Dentistry 10

Axial CT Bone window Images courtesy of Nagasaki University School of Dentistry Axial CT Soft tissue window Images courtesy of Nagasaki University School of Dentistry Images courtesy of Ashai University School of Dentistry Panoramic View Cropped Panoramic View 11

Chondrosarcoma Clinical Features Malignancy of cartilaginous origin Firm to hard bony mass of long duration Four subtypes 1. Clear cell 2. Dedifferentiated 3. Myxoid 4. Mesenchymal Occurs within the bone, peripheral to the bone, or, less commonly, in soft tissue Mean age: 47 yrs Affects males and females equally Cropped Occlusal View Chondrosarcoma Location Unusual in the facial bones. Accounts for only 10% of all cases Occurs equally in maxilla and mandible near cartilage Maxillary lesions tend toward the anterior, while mandibular lesions occur in the coronoid process, head of the condyle and neck, and sometimes in the mandibular symphysis Chondrosarcoma Borders and Shape Round, ovoid, or lobulated Borders can range from smooth and well corticated to indistinct If the periosteum is involved, sunray spicules (aka: hair-on-end trabeculae, or orthoradial striations) Chondrosarcoma Internal architecture May appear as multilocular lucencies to highly calcified lesions. Usual appearance is mixed density Radiographic appearance may be flocculent (snow-like) Moth eaten appearance may be seen, amid islands of unaffected bone Chondrosarcoma Effects on adjacent structures Expand cortical boundaries due to slow growth Can remodel condyle and glenoid fossa Widened PDL and lack of lamina dura of associated teeth 12

Chondrosarcoma In general, chondrosarcomas share the general radiographic features of malignant neoplasms Chondrosarcoma Differential Diagnosis Benign fibro osseous lesions Odontogenic myxoma Fibroma Osteoma Ameloblastoma Central bone malignancies Chondrosarcoma Chondrosarcoma Images courtesy Marquette University School of Dentistry Ewing s Sarcoma Ewing s Sarcoma Clinical Features Rare in Jaws Generally found in long bones Origin is uncertain Most common in second decade of life 2:1 M:F ratio Distribution of cases 13

Ewing s Sarcoma Location 2:1 mandibular to maxillary cases Found in posterior Lesions start in marrow spaces and expand to involve cortices Ewing s Sarcoma Shape and Borders Poorly demarcated Non-corticated borders There is no typical shape to lesions of Ewing s sarcoma Internal Architecture Radiolucent Ewing s Sarcoma Ewing s Sarcoma Effects on adjacent structures May stimulate the periosteum to lay down new bone in sunray pattern or Codman s triangles Will destroy cortices of normal anatomy such as lamina dura of teeth Ewing s sarcoma of the ramus Ewing s Sarcoma Ewing s Sarcoma Ewing s sarcoma of the fibula Ewing s sarcoma of the fibula 14

Ewing s Sarcoma Fibrosarcoma Composed of malignant fibroblasts that produce collagen and elastin Unknown etiology May arise in tissues that have been irradiated Ewing s sarcoma Fibrosarcoma Clinical Features M=F Generally occurs in 4 th decade of life Slowly to rapidly enlarging mass If entirely within bone, the lesion is often painful May exit bone and invade soft tissue, or may begin peripherally Fibrosarcoma Location Mandible Premolar and molar region Borders and Shape Ill-defined, ragged borders Poorly demarcated and non-corticated Non-encapsulated Fibrosarcoma Fibrosarcoma Internal Architecture Usually radiolucent May include reactive bone formation Effects on adjacent structure Destruction Alveolar cortices Inferior cortex of the mandible Follicular cortices Floor of the maxillary sinus Displacement of teeth (rather than resorption) 15

Fibrosarcoma Hematopoietic Origin Multiple Myeloma Malignant neoplasm of plasma cells Most common malignancy of bone in adults Multiple Myeloma Clinical features M+F ratio Average age 60 yrs Multiple Myeloma Radiographic features Location Uncommon in the jaws More frequent in the mandible than the maxilla In the mandible, usually found in the posterior body and ramus In the maxilla, it is usually found in posterior areas Multiple Myeloma Radiographic features Shape and Borders Well-defined, punched out lesions Non-corticated borders No bone reaction seen Some lesions have ragged borders, although most are round or ovoid 16

Multiple Myeloma Multiple Myeloma Radiographic features Internal architecture No apparent internal architecture Uniformly radiolucent appearance Effects on adjacent structures Teeth may appear excessively opaque, due to the radiolucent appearance of demineralized bone Lamina dura may be lost, along with other cortices Cortical borders may be effaced Multiple Myeloma Multiple Myeloma Case from AAOMR CRC Session 11/04 Non-Hodgkin s Lymphoma Non-Hodgkin s Lymphoma Refers to a family of tumors Composed of malignant cells of the lymphatic system 17

Non-Hodgkin s Lymphoma Clinical features Occurs in all age groups, but is uncommon in first decade Teeth may become mobile as bone is lost Patients may feel unwell and lose weight Night sweats are a common pathonuemonic feature of lymphoma Non-Hodgkin s Lymphoma Radiographic features Location Lesions of the head and neck occur in the lymph nodes Extranodal lesions are found in the maxillary sinus, posterior mandible, and maxilla Non-Hodgkin s Lymphoma Radiographic features Shape and Borders Initial lesions are shaped like the host bone Long standing lesions can destroy the cortices of the bone Borders are poorly-defined and demonstrate invasive processes Lesions in a spaces such as the maxillary sinus may have a smooth border Non-Hodgkin s Lymphoma Radiographic features Internal architecture Uniformly radiolucent Effects on adjacent structures May efface the walls of the maxillary sinus Lymphomas grow in the PDL space of teeth May efface the cortices of the follicles of the developing teeth and displace them superiorly Lymphoma Lymphoma v. Leukemia Lymphoma involving the maxillary sinus Case courtesy of the KAOMFR 18

Lymphoma v. Leukemia Lymphoma v. Leukemia Case courtesy of the KAOMFR Case courtesy of the KAOMFR Metastases Metastatic Lesions Pet/CT of non-small cell tumor of the lung with metastases Metastatic Lesions Metastatic tumors are foci of malignant disease that originated in a distant primary tumor Usual pathway is through the bloodstream Metastases located in the jaws generally arise from primary tumors located below the clavicles Usually, the primary has been discovered prior to the discovery of jaw metastases Metastatic Lesions Common type of primary tumor is carcinoma (epithelial origin) Common primary sites include: Breast Kidney Lung Colon Rectum Prostate Thyroid stomach Melanoma Testes Bladder Ovary Cervix 19

Metastatic Lesions Clinical Features Most common in 5 th to 7 th decade of life Complaints may include: Pain Numbness Paresthesia Bleeding Pathologic fracture of the mandible Metastatic Lesions Location Posterior regions of the jaws More common in: mandible > maxilla >maxillary sinus > anterior hard palate> mandibular condyle Metastases may be bilateral Lesions may be located in the periodontal ligament space. They may be confused with periodontal or apical inflammatory lesions Metastatic Lesions Borders and Shape Moderately well-demarcated Non-corticated borders May also have ill-defined, invasive borders Polymorphous in shape (i.e.: irregular) Metastatic Lesions Internal architecture Lesions are generally lucent Normal trabeculation may be seen, interspersed with radiolucent areas, representing osteolysis. (bone destruction) May be multiple lesions, which may later coalesce Metastatic Lesions Metastatic bone lesions Effects on adjacent structures Effacement of the lamina dura Widening of the PDL space Periosteal reaction. May perforate cortices and form a soft tissue mass extraorally or intraorally Teeth may float in a soft tissue mass and may be displaced 20

Metastatic bone lesions Metastatic bone lesions A B C D A= from breast ca, B= from renal cell cal C and D= lesions from gastric ca Metastatic Lesions Age group 0-10 10-20 20-40 40 & above Age Distribution of Common Primary Tumors of Bone Most common benign lesions simple bone cyst eosinophilic granuloma non-ossifying fibroma fibrous dysplasia simple bone cyst aneurysmal bone cyst osteochondroma (exostosis) osteoid osteoma osteoblastoma chondroblastoma chondromyxoid fibroma enchondroma giant cell tumor osteoma Most common malignant tumors Ewing's sarcoma leukemic involvement metastatic neuroblastoma osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, adamantinoma chondrosarcoma metastatic tumors myeloma leukemic involvement chondrosarcoma osteosarcoma (Paget's associated) chordoma From: http://www.umdnj.edu/tutorweb/introductory.htm Part Four: Time and Eternity XXVII BECAUSE I could not stop for Death, He kindly stopped for me; The carriage held but just ourselves And Immortality. We slowly drove, he knew no haste, And I had put away My labor, and my leisure too, For his civility. We passed the school where children played At wrestling in a ring; We passed the fields of gazing grain, We passed the setting sun. We paused before a house that seemed A swelling of the ground; The roof was scarcely visible, The cornice but a mound. Emily Dickinson Since then t is centuries; but each Feels shorter than the day I first surmised the horses heads Were toward eternity. 21