Gingival metastasis as initial presentation of small cell carcinoma of the lung.

Abstract

We describe an 84-year-old man with small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCLC) initially manifesting as gingival metastasis. Although SCLC is well known for early and widespread dissemination, metastasis to the gingiva is extremely rare. We know of only two case reports describing gingival metastasis from SCLC and in these cases gingival metastasis was not the presenting occurrence. Physicians should be aware that, on rare occasions, gingival metastases can be the presenting event in SCLC.