Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Metastasizing to the Heart: A Case Report from Taiwan

BACKGROUND: The most common sites for metastasis from head and neck cancers are the lungs, bones, and liver. We present a rare case of squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa that metastasized to the right ventricle, pericardium, and bilateral lungs. METHODS: A 61-year-old man with oral squamous cell carcinoma (cT4aN2cM0) exhibited mass-like echogenicity adhering to the right ventricular free wall that was accidentally discovered after concurrent chemoradiotherapy. A biopsy of the mass confirmed the oral origin of the metastasis. RESULTS: The patient received palliative care and died 1 month after being diagnosed with cardiac involvement. CONCLUSION: Cardiac involvement is often not assessed because of its low prevalence. Cardiac metastasis should be considered in patients with malignancies presenting with nonspecific cardiac symptoms.