Malignant tumors could be misinterpreted as temporomandibular joint disorders.

Objectives: This article stresses the importance of exclusion of malignant tumors as a cause of temporomandibular joint disorder, which is usually caused by intra-articular or musculoligamental dysfunction without considering malignant tumors as a cause of such complaints.

Method And Results: Three patients were referred to us because of persistent and recurrent temporomandibular joint dysfunction. All patients were treated more than once through their general practitioner, ear nose and throat physician, or dental physician without significant improvement.