Primary intraosseous carcinoma of the jaws.

OBJECTIVES To present 8 new cases of primary intraosseous carcinoma of the jaws and to review the literature for an analysis of treatment modalities and patient outcomes. DATA SOURCES A MEDLINE search from 1970 to 1999. The articles chosen and the study of the references of every one that produced additional articles provided database information for 28 patients. Eight new patients from our institutions were added. STUDY SELECTION Our criteria of inclusion included the absence of ulceration of the oral mucosa, a negative result in the search for a distant primary tumor, and convincing histological documentation. DATA EXTRACTION The variables of the analysis included age, sex, site of the tumor, condition of the oral mucosa, tumor size, neck status, treatment modalities, recurrences, and survival. DATA SYNTHESIS Twenty-eight patients were identified in the literature, for a total of 36 patients. There were 28 males (78%) and 8 females (22%) ranging in age from 4 to 76 years (mean, 54 years). The tumor site was the mandible in 33 patients (92%) and the maxilla in 3 (8%). Of the 34 patients treated, 19 (56%) had recurrences. Overall 2- and 4-year survival was 60.5% and 39.9%, respectively. Patients who underwent radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (n = 11) had a 2- and 3-year survival probability of 61.3% and 40.9%, respectively, whereas in the remaining patients (n = 25), the rates were 59.7% and 31.3%, respectively (P =.60). CONCLUSIONS Strict diagnostic criteria must be applied. The prognosis associated with primary intraosseous carcinoma of the jaws is poor and suggests the need for aggressive treatment.