Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with femoral metastasis: a case report and systematic review of current literature - Report - MDSpire

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with femoral metastasis: a case report and systematic review of current literature

  • By

  • Hannah Chahal

  • Joseph Latham

  • Finlay Ajayi

  • Sasan Dehbozorgi

  • Andrew Miller

  • Gordon Gillespie

  • July 6, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Femoral Metastasis in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is primarily known for locoregional spread, with distant metastases being rare. Femoral metastasis is particularly uncommon. Understanding this rare manifestation is crucial for timely palliative care and management of complications.

Data Highlights

CharacteristicValue
Mean age at diagnosis57 years
Male predominance66.7%
Most common primary siteTongue (66.7%)
Time to femoral metastasis6 months to 19 years
Management strategiesPalliative care, radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy

Key Findings

  • Femoral metastasis from HNSCC is exceptionally rare.
  • Mean age at diagnosis of femoral metastasis is 57 years, with a predominance in males.
  • The tongue is the most common primary site for femoral metastasis in HNSCC cases.
  • Time to development of femoral metastasis varies widely, from six months to 19 years.
  • Management is primarily palliative, focusing on radiotherapy and orthopaedic interventions.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential for femoral metastasis in patients with advanced HNSCC, particularly those with tongue lesions.

Conclusion

Femoral metastasis in HNSCC is a rare clinical finding that requires prompt recognition and palliative care strategies.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Title
  2. Duprez et al., Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2023 -- Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Distant Metastasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  3. ASTRO, 2024 -- ASTRO clinical guideline on radiation therapy for bone metastases emphasizes patient-centered care
  4. Case Series and Systematic Review of Metastatic Meningioma
  5. Frontiers in Oncology — Synchronous primary breast invasive carcinoma and breast metastasis from high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma: a case report and literature review
  6. Frontiers in Medicine — Multidisciplinary treatment of follicular thyroid carcinoma with hepatic and pulmonary metastases: a case report and literature review
  7. Frontiers in Oncology — Efficacy and Safety of Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes and Survival Benefits
  8. Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Distant Metastasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  9. Patterns of bone metastases from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
  10. Tumour-to-tumour metastasis: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to enchondroma | Skeletal Radiology | Springer Nature Link
  11. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography missed tibial metastasis in head and neck cancer: a case report and review of literature - PubMed
  12. https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/DSI-HERC/MembersOnly/7.5f%20NCCN%201.2026%20head-and-neck.pdf
  13. ASTRO clinical guideline on radiation therapy for bone metastases emphasizes patient-centered care
  14. SEOM–TTCC clinical guidelines for the treatment of head and neck cancer (2025) | Clinical and Translational Oncology | Springer Nature Link
  15. Pembrolizumab With or Without Chemotherapy in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Updated Results of the Phase III KEYNOTE-048 Study | Journal of Clinical Oncology

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