Cervical metastases from pulmonary epidermoid carcinoma

A patient with a right latero-cervical swelling of three-months history was observed. Fine needle aspiration biopsy showed the presence of metastases of epidermoid carcinoma moderately differentiated. No signs or symptoms of head and neck neoplasm were presents. After instrumental evaluation the primary neoplasm was localised at the left lung and metastases were also localised in the right submandibular gland. Although metastases from pulmonary epidermoid carcinoma are normally bloodborne, in this case lymphatic metastases involving cervical areas were present, probably secondarily the submandibular involvement.