Distant Metastases in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Abstract

Distant metastases were observed in 19 cases (11.6%) in a series of 164 patients with head and neck cancer and treated between 1974 and 1983. The incidence of distant metastases was high in patients with advanced primary tumors, i.e. T3 and T4. Pathological types of distant metastases that were observed at a high incidence were MFH, lymphoepithelioma and undifferentiated carcinoma. The most common organs of distant metastases were the lung, bone and liver. Distant metastases of head and neck cancer were considered to be rare but according to the studies of pathological autopsies, it was higher than our clinical findings. Therefore, it was necessary to follow-up the head and neck cancer patients very carefully for a long period. © 1987, The Society of Practical Otolaryngology. All rights reserved.