Osteosarcoma of the jaws: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Osteosarcomas of the jaws are very rare accounting for only 6 to 7% of all osteosarcomas and 1% of all head and neck malignancies. The clinicopathological characteristics as well as the radiological characteristics are not specific, which represents a diagnostic dilemma. Indeed, this lesion is often mistaken for benign lesions of the maxillary. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of osteosarcoma of the jaws in a 45 year man who consulted in our service for a simple painless oral swelling evolving since a five months. The lesion was excised and histopathological report confirmed the diagnosis of osteosarcoma of the jaw. DISCUSSION: Osteosarcomas are a rarely progressive tumor in the oral cavity that can show up as a case of a benign process of dental origin. During our practice, we often meet similar cases which are treated by usual medication, while a whole malignant process is in the progress and can be life-threatening. The case we present illustrates this perfectly, and owing to a deep clinical investment, the malignant process was stopped at its start. CONCLUSION: The objective of presenting this case is to draw the attention of the doctors that any lesions even of benign appearance can hide a malignant process. Consider this point and integrate it into its diagnostic approach should be undertaken and should lead to a deepening of the clinical examination by comparing the clinical, radiological and histological data.