title: [The metastases to the head and neck region from distant primary localization].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Distant metastases to the head and neck region, with primary tumor located outside the head and neck, presents often a diagnostic problems, especially when metastases are an exclusive signs and symptoms of the disease. In most of this cases there is no chance for curative therapy, and optimum palliation is the goal of the treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The description and analysis of clinical and prognostic factors, which could establish the optimum diagnostic formula, and predict the prognosis in distant metastases to the head and neck region.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study of 44 cases diagnoses and treated in 2001-2006 in Dept. ORL H&N Surgery. The analysis was based on current observations and case records documentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the most of cases (39/44) the distant metastases to the head and neck regions presented a part of generalized malignant neoplastic disease, but in 14/44 cases that was a first warning symptom. All of this 14/44 cases presented as a metastases to the IV and V lymph nodes region. The most common primary sides were found in the lung. The average survival within the analyzed group was only 7,2 months.
authors.affiliation: Dział Otolaryngologii Chirurgii Głowy i Szyi, Swietokrzyskie Centrum Onkologii w Kielcach. j.kobiorska@op.pl
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kobiorska-Nowak
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bień
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011044:Poland; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis