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Bilateral axillary metastasis from a primary ethmoidal squamous cell carcinoma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 March 2006

S Islam
Affiliation:
University Hospitals of Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
C V Cole
Affiliation:
University Hospitals of Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
G R Hoffman
Affiliation:
University Hospitals of Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
P A Brennan
Affiliation:
University Hospitals of Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK

Abstract

The development of infra-clavicular lymph node metastasis from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is an uncommon event. We present a rare case of bilateral axillary nodal metastasis that developed in a patient previously treated for a primary ethmoidal squamous cell carcinoma. To our knowledge, there have only been five case reports in the English literature, accounting for a total of 10 patients, which documented a clinically apparent metastasis to axillary lymph nodes from various head and neck malignancies. Significantly however, the simultaneous ipsilateral and contralateral lymphatic spread of disease from a tumour in the para-nasal sinus, so as to involve bi-axillary nodes, has not been previously reported. We discuss the possible pathogenesis and the prognostic significance of this manifestation.

Type
Clinical Record
Copyright
2006 JLO (1984) Limited

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