Osteosarcoma of the jaws: a review of literature and a case report on synchronous multicentric osteosarcomas

Abstract

BackgroundIn the head and neck region, osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor, representing 23% of total head and neck malignancies. Osteosarcomas of the jaws are nevertheless rare lesions, representing only 2 to 10% of all osteosarcomas. This report reviews a single-center histopathology experience with craniofacial osteosarcomas, and reports the management of unusually large synchronous mandibular and maxillary osteosarcomas in a patient.Patients and methodsA search of the hospital pathology database for specimens with a histological diagnosis of osteosarcomas submitted between July 1992 and May 2011 was made. A chart review of a patient with large synchronous maxillary and mandibular osteosarcomas was performed, and is reported.Case presentationA 21-year-old African man with large maxillary and mandibular tumors under palliative care presented with increasing difficulties with eating, speech, and breathing. Surgical debulking was performed, with histology confirming synchronous osteosarcomas of the mandible and maxilla. The patient is well after one year, with no evidence of recurrence, having undergone no further treatment.ConclusionOsteosarcomas of the jaw remain enigmatic, and a number of difficulties related to their diagnosis and treatment are yet to be resolved. True synchronous multicentric osteosarcomas of the jaws are extremely rare but, like other osteosarcomas of the jaws, have a favorable outcome, and palliative resection of such lesions, though challenging, can therefore lead to an enormously improved quality of life and self-image, and may even offer the opportunity for cure.

An 8-year Pattern of Orofacial Sarcoma from the National Referral Hospital in United Republic of Tanzania

“…On the contrary, Alishahi et al, 13 Adebayo et al, 19 and Chindia et al 20 reported male predominance. The difference between male and female reported in these studies is, however, marginal; the mean age of occurrence of osteosarcoma in this series was concurrent with most reports from different literature; 12,13,18,26 however, it did not coincide with the mean age reported by Adebayo et al 19 Rhabdomyosarcoma, a malignancy of primitive muscle, predominates in pediatric patients in the first decade of life, making it the most common maxillofacial sarcoma in childhood but can be seen at any age. 18,27 In this study, rhabdomyosarcoma was the third most common sarcoma accounting for 9.7%.…”

Chromosome 12 long arm rearrangement covering MDM2 and RASAL1 is associated with aggressive craniofacial juvenile ossifying fibroma and extracranial psammomatoid fibro-osseous lesions

“…24 Although rare in jawbone locations, 25-27 diagnosis of low-grade osteosarcoma should be considered in the context of fibro-osseous lesions due to its specific management. 28,29 Overexpression and gene amplification of MDM2 in low-grade/dedifferentiated osteosarcomas, linked to supernumerary ring 12q13-15 chromosomes containing MDM2, 22,30 have together been proven to be a sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for these tumors in extragnathic locations. Unlike fibrous dysplasia and low-grade osteosarcoma, no recurrent genetic abnormalities have been reported for ossifying fibroma, which remains a lesion of uncertain nature, arising from the periodontal ligament.…”

Necrosis of osteosarcoma cells induces the production and release of high‑mobility group box 1 protein

“…It is the most common primary tumor of malignant bone tumors (1). Osteosarcoma may occur at any age, though has been most frequently observed in adolescents <25 years old, and is considered to occur more often in males than females (3).…”

“…Osteosarcoma is a malignant primary tumor of the bone, which can produce a bone-like tumor comprised of bone connective tissues, including collagen, elastic fibers and ground substances (1,2). It is the most common primary tumor of malignant bone tumors (1).…”