Autopsy findings in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer and their therapeutic relevance

Abstract

A series of 63 autopsied patients with a history of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is reported with emphasis on the importance of locoregional disease (LRD) versus distant metastasis (DM) in the terminal course of the disease. There were 49 males and 14 females; mean age 64.9 years (range 35–94 years). Locoregional disease was present in 39 patients (62%), in 25 (40%) without tumour at other body sites outside the head and neck region. Distant metastasis was observed in 15 patients (24%); in 12 (19%), it occurred with concomitant LRD. Second primary tumours (SPT) were observed in 20 patients (32%). They occurred in the head and neck region (n = 7; 11%), the lung (n = 9; 14%) and at miscellaneous other sites (n = 4; 6%). Of the 13 patients with SPT outside the head and neck region, 2 had concomitant LRD. 11 patients (17%) died due to other causes, no tumour being found at autopsy. These figures indicate that still a major part of HNSCC patients die with LRD as the single tumour manifestation, which means that improvement of local tumour control will result in a significant therapeutic gain.