Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue with Metastasis to Myocardium: Report of a Case and Literature Review

Abstract EN

This is a case of a 43-year-old man who in 2014 was diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma involving the tongue.

He underwent extensive surgery that involved right tongue cancer resection and reconstruction with a free flap graft from his right forearm.

He then was started on chemotherapy and radiation.

Surveillance computed tomography in December 2016 showed a cardiac lesion in the left ventricular apex, which was confirmed by further echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

A biopsy of the mass revealed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.

He was deemed to not be a surgical candidate and continued on palliative chemotherapy.

The patient had a very poor prognosis and eventually succumbed to the disease, highlighting the importance of surveillance imaging in such cases.

A high index of suspicion on the part of the physician is needed to help in the early identification of these patients.