title: Metastatic tumours to the head and neck: retrospective analysis from a Brazilian tertiary referral centre.
abstract: Data regarding the development of head and neck metastases are limited, with the majority of the studies focusing on single cases affecting mainly the oral cavity and surrounding tissues. This study describes the incidence of head and neck metastases from primary tumours originating elsewhere. The medical records of selected patients were reviewed, and socio-demographic data as well as information about the localization of the primary tumours and their metastases to this region, treatment modalities employed, follow-up, and outcomes were collected. A total of 24 cases were found. The mean age at diagnosis was 52.1±17.6 years and the male to female ratio was 1:1.4. Most primary tumours were located in the lung and breast. The overall 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates were 63.0%, 39.1%, and 19.6%, respectively. Radiotherapy for the metastatic focus significantly prolonged the survival time of the patients (P=0.048). Cervical lymph node metastases are a common event in patients with primary tumours growing elsewhere.
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Servato
authors.forename: L F B
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: de Paulo
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: de Faria
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Loyola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: head and neck metastasis; metastasis; metastatic tumours; oral cavity metastasis