Liver metastases from oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a rare case report

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) commonly metastasizes to the lungs, bones, and distant lymph nodes. Liver metastases from OPSCC are rare and typically occur in advanced stages. We present a 59-year-old male diagnosed with OPSCC, initially treated with surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RDT). Due to political and governmental limitations, the patient received only six sessions of RDT, below the standard recommended regimen. Three years post-treatment, he presented with abdominal symptoms, and imaging revealed a hepatic lesion. A liver biopsy confirmed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Histopathological comparison with the primary tumor supported the diagnosis of hepatic metastasis from OPSCC. This case underscores the aggressive nature of OPSCC and the critical importance of completing multimodal therapy. Interrupted adjuvant treatment may have contributed to early distant spread. While liver metastases from OPSCC are rare, they should be considered in patients presenting with compatible symptoms and a history of incomplete treatment.