title: [Metastasis of systemic origin in otorhinolaryngology].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the upper respiratory-digestive tract cancer is always primary. Such cancer is very common, but other extremely rare secondary cancers may be found.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied our own patients and some published in the literature: cancer of the kidney with metastases in the paranasal sinuses and cancer of the breast metastasizing to the temporal bone. We review the bibliography on these rare metastases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In all cases of otorhinolaryngological cancer a detailed history should be taken, with special reference to previous neoplasms. It is particularly important to study and review any history of renal, breast or prostate tumors with regard to the primary tumor and the receptor organs of metastases, the paranasal sinuses and temporal bones. The most difficult problem occurs when the primary tumor is present but undiagnosed. Therefore, in all cases of cancer of the paranasal sinuses and temporal bones, before treatment is started the kidney, prostate, breast and other organs above and below the diaphragm where tumor may be present should be examined. The prognosis of these metastases, which are almost always fatal, is very poor so that often treatment is only palliative rather than aggressive.
authors.affiliation: Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Traserra
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morelló
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Traserra-Coderch
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000556:secondary*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D013701:Temporal Bone
vernacular_title: Metástasis de origen sistémico en otorrinolaringología.