Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma is known for its metastatic potential, however, metastasis to the head and neck are rare. We present a 71-year-old man who presented with a palpable tongue mass. The positron-emission tomographic-computed tomographic scan revealed enhancements in the left tongue base, left thyroid, left shoulder musculature, right upper thigh, and right paratracheal mediastinal lymph nodes. Subsequent tongue and trapezius muscle biopsies had immunochemical stains consistent with renal cell carcinoma metastasis. This article discusses an uncommon metastatic pattern of renal cell carcinoma to the tongue and what is the second reported metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to the trapezius muscle.
Highlights
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an aggressive cancer that presents classically with the triad of hematuria, flank pain, and a palpable abdominal mass
Renal cell carcinoma is known for its metastatic potential, metastasis to the head and neck are rare
We describe a 71-year-old asymptomatic patient who presented to the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic with a palpable tongue mass
Summary
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an aggressive cancer that presents classically with the triad of hematuria, flank pain, and a palpable abdominal mass. How to cite this article Lenkeit C, Bank J, Shirazi M (December 04, 2020) Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Head and Neck: Case Presentation of a Patient With a Rare Metastatic Pattern. Initial surgical pathology of the base of tongue lesion showed hyperkeratosis of the epithelium and the presence of seromucinous glands appearing to infiltrate the overlying epithelium (Figure 4). Left trapezius intramuscular mass biopsy showed skeletal muscle with hemorrhagic regions infiltrated by atypical foamy cells (Figure 6). Staining of this biopsy revealed atypical cells that stained positive for PAX8, confirming the diagnosis (Figure 7).
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