Renal clear cell carcinoma metastasis to submandibular gland: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Metastases from renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC) to the head and neck (HN) region are rare, representing 8–14% of all RCCC metastases, with the thyroid gland being the most common site of RCCC metastasis in the HN. Metastatic tumors that are located in the salivary glands have a prevalence of 5%, while the submandibular gland is only involved in 1% of the cases. We present the case of a 74-year-old female patient with metastasis to the submandibular gland, 11 years after radical nephrectomy for a RCCC.