[Metastatic calvarial tumor: report of 3 cases]

We report 3 cases of calvarial tumor metastasized from the following malignancies: squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, hepatocellular carcinoma, and clear cell carcinoma of the kidney. All three patients presented with a painful mass as the initial symptom. Although each tumor was successfully extirpated, out-come was not satisfactory because of the malignant nature of the primary sources. The main purpose of treatment of metastatic calvarial tumors was thought to be relief of pain and cosmetic reasons. Metastatic calvarial tumors may reach considerable size as reported here. We stressed that meticulous care should be paid to repair of the dura and reconstruction of subcutaneous soft tissues, since scalp necrosis or cerebrospinal fluid retention may occur following preoperative embolization of feeding arteries and extensive removal of subcutaneous tissues invaded by tumor.