Work

Posterior Pharyngeal Wall Metastasis of Pleomorphic Lung Carcinoma: Long-Term Remission following Curative Local Treatment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Oropharyngeal metastasis from non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is rare, particularly to the posterior pharyngeal wall (PPW), and can mimic head and neck neoplasms. A 78-year-old man with globus had a 2×3 cm PPW mass and a synchronous left upper-lobe lesion; biopsies from both revealed poorly differentiated pleomorphic carcinoma. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT; 60 Gy/4 fractions) to the lung achieved regression, and the PPW tumor was resected via transoral robotic surgery (TORS) with negative margins. Pathology confirmed metastatic pleomorphic carcinoma with thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) positivity and a high proliferative index. Ten months later, right level IIa nodal metastasis was excised by modified radical neck dissection; the node showed squamoid change with loss of TTF-1, and no human papillomavirus or tonsillar primary was identified. Without systemic therapy, the patient remains disease-free 5 years after TORS and 8 years after SBRT, supporting curative-intent local therapy in oligometastatic NSCLC.

Source: 대한두경부종양학회지

DOI: 10.21593/kjhno/2025.41.2.33

Authors: Ji Won Kim, Yun Jeong Lee, Sang Heun Kim, Sumin Yi, Bon Seok Koo, Jae Won Chang

Institutions: Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Chungnam National University

Language: English

Topic: Metastasis and carcinoma case studies

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze