An unusual case of implant failure.

A 67-year-old woman was referred with a rapidly progressing swelling in the left canine region of the edentulous mandible. Nine months earlier, 2 permucosal implants had been placed in her atrophic anterior mandible. A few weeks after implant placement, an inoperable carcinoma of the lung had been diagnosed. This tumor was treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. After 3 months, the implants were provided with a Dolder bar supporting an overdenture. Subsequently, progressive inflammation developed around the left implant and removal of the implant was necessary. When progressive swelling of the mucosa developed at the previous implant site, the patient was referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The swelling measured 35 mm in diameter and was biopsied. It was diagnosed as a metastasis of the lung carcinoma to the mandible. The tumor of the jaw was treated with local radiotherapy.