Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tends to metastasize hematogenously, although metastasis to the head and neck is rare.
We report 3 cases of RCC head and neck metastasis within the last 6 years. CASE 1: A 74-yearold woman presented with cervical metastasis from RCC 4 years after right total nephrectomy, involving modified neck dissection. She later had additional surgery and radiation for further distant metastases, survived almost 5 years after the first neck metastasis. CASE 2: A 60-year-old man showed metastatic RCC in the right parotid gland 3 years after right total nephrectomy, involving superficial parotidectomy. CASE 3: A 54-year-old man presented with a metastasis lesion from RCC to the right maxillary sinus 7 years after left total nephrectomy, involving total maxillectomy. Distant metastasis reportedly often occurs long after initial primary RCC treatment. Physicians considering metastatic RCC in differential head and neck diagnosis and resection could conceivably promote better prognosis.
Written by:
Ito R, Nishiike S, Tomiyama Y, Yoshii T, Yamamoto Y, Inohara H. Are you the author?
Yao Municipal Hospital, Yao.
Reference: Nihon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho. 2011 Nov;114(11):864-8.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22250404
Article in Japanese.
