[Breast cancer metastases in the head and neck region]

Breast cancer metastases to the head and neck region are very rare and therefore represent a challenge for the clinician in terms of diagnosis and therapy. Recent advances in breast cancer treatment have achieved longer median survival times in affected patients. However, at the same time, the risk of a clinical manifestation of metastasis increases. Here we present the cases of two breast cancer patients who developed filiae into the petrous portion of the temporal bone and one very rare case of metastasis to the larynx. Diagnosis, therapy and distinctive features of metastasis to the head and neck region are discussed.Secondary to long-term endocrine hormone therapy, a reduction in estrogen receptor expression occurred in all three cases. We believe that the loss of steroid receptor expression contributed to tumor resistance to endocrine therapy. Moreover, this receptor loss hindered the pathologist from confirming the diagnosis of metastases at very unusual sites.