Distant metastases from oropharyngeal cancer

Distant metastasis is a significant problem in patients with carcinoma of the oropharynx, occurring in approximately 15-20% off all patients over the course of the disease. It is, however, a relatively uncommon first site of failure, as compared to local and regional recurrence. Distant spread occurs most commonly to the lungs, in patients who present with advanced disease, and especially in those with pathologically proven lymph nodes at multiple levels of the neck or in the lower neck. Metastasis to distant sites also occurs more often in patients who recur locally or in the neck.