[A radiologic study of metastatic pulmonary tumor originating in the oral and maxillofacial regions].

A retrospective study of 103 cases of metastatic pulmonary tumors originated from oral and maxillofacial regions was made radiologically as well as clinically. With regard to the site and pathologic type of the primary neoplasm, palatal tumor and adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most frequent ones respectively which metastasize to the lungs. Radiologic types of metastatic pulmonary tumor might be classified into five categories: solitary, multiple nodular, multiple mass, diffuse and miliary network. The relationship between prognosis and radiologic types, the growing rate and complications such as cavitation, atelectasis, pleural effusion, lymph node enlargement and destruction of ribs were briefly discussed. The authors were of the opinion that the duration from primary to metastatic and that from metastases to death in oral and maxillofacial malignant tumors are longer than those of other sites in human body.