Abstract
Metastatic tumors involving the head and neck region are rare. Over the past 12 years, six such cases were treated at our clinic. Among those cases, three demonstrated metastatic tumor to the paranasal sinus, two of which arose from a primary hepatocellular carcinoma and one from osteogenic fibrosarcoma of the leg. In the remaining three cases, metastases to the larynx, the tonsil, and the parotid gland arose from a primary renal cell carcinoma, a thyroid carcinoma, and a breast carcinoma respectively. During the years between 1950 and 1987, an additional fortyseven cases of metastatic tumor to the head and neck region were reported in Japan. The vast majority of those cases involved metastasis to the nose or paranasal sinus originating from a primary lesion of the kidey. In some such cases the primary site can be identified by the pathohistological features of the metastatic tumor. Accordingly, when malignant head and neck tumors are suspected to be of a metastic character, it is mandatory, that during the diagnostic workup, the possible primary site be carefully examined.
