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Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the head and neck area
F Navarro1, J Vicente, M J Villanueva
1Department of Medical Oncology, Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
Aims And Background:
Metastases of renal cell carcinoma to the head and neck are rare. We report on three cases with tumor spread to this area (nasal cavity, tongue and larynx) and present a review of the literature.
Patients:
The first patient presented with lung and nasal cavity metastases five years after renal tumor resection. In patient 2 the diagnosis of primary renal carcinoma and lung and tongue metastases was concomitant. In case 3 a primary kidney tumor was not suspected until radical resection of a tongue lesion was performed.
Results:
The first two patients received radiation therapy. They had been previously treated with interleukin + interferon and vinblastine + interleukin 2 and achieved a survival of 14 and 16 months, respectively. The third patient has not been given any treatment to date (apart from surgery) and remains asymptomatic four years after diagnosis.
Conclusions:
In patients with cell carcinoma the occurrence of lesions in the head and neck area may suggest metastases. In some cases they may precede the diagnosis of a renal tumor and mimic a primary head and neck tumor; otolaryngologists should be aware of this possibility. An individualized treatment approach is recommended. In the case of solitary metastases a surgical excision should be performed as palliation, if not cure.
Insights
Metastases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to the head and neck are rare but can precede diagnosis. Early recognition and individualized treatment, including surgery for solitary lesions, are crucial for managing these rare RCC metastases.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Head and Neck Surgery
- Urology
Background:
- Metastases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to the head and neck are uncommon.
- This study reports three cases of head and neck metastases from RCC, including the nasal cavity, tongue, and larynx.
- A literature review is presented to contextualize these rare occurrences.
Observation:
- Case 1: Nasal cavity metastasis five years post-RCC resection.
- Case 2: Concomitant diagnosis of primary RCC with lung and tongue metastases.
- Case 3: Tongue lesion initially presumed primary, with later diagnosis of underlying RCC.
Findings:
- Two patients received radiation therapy and immunotherapy/chemotherapy, with survival of 14 and 16 months.
- One patient with a solitary tongue metastasis treated with surgery remains asymptomatic four years later.
- Head and neck lesions can be the first sign of RCC, sometimes preceding the primary tumor diagnosis.
Implications:
- Otolaryngologists must consider RCC metastasis in patients presenting with head and neck tumors.
- An individualized treatment strategy is recommended for head and neck RCC metastases.
- Surgical excision of solitary metastases may offer palliation or even cure.