An Extremely Rare and Unusual Case of Retroperitoneal and Pelvic Metastasis from Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Vallecula

Abstract

We report an extremely rare and unusual case of retroperitoneal and pelvic metastasis from primary squamous cell carcinoma of vallecula. Generally carcinoma oropharynx metastasizes to lungs, liver and bone while retroperitoneal and pelvic metastasis is rarely heard of. To the best of our knowledge this case is one of the scantly reported cases ever of this kind in the world.  A 60-year-old male presented with dysphagia and hoarseness of voice of four month duration.  Computed tomography (CT) scan face and neck showed growth right vallecula. Biopsy of lesion showed squamous cell carcinoma. Metastatic work up was negative. He received definitive chemo-radiation. Patient during follow up presented with dyspepsia, abdominal discomfort and weight loss. Whole body positron emission tomography (WB PET) scan revealed retroperitoneal and pelvic lymph node deposits which were confirmed as metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma by CT guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Patient was exhibited palliative chemotherapy but his general condition deteriorated and he finally succumbed to his metastatic illness. This case is being reported to highlight its extreme rarity, the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges it presented and its overall dismal prognosis.