Tonsillar Carcinoma Spreading Metastases to Central Nervous System: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

We present a case report of a 51-year-old left-handed male with a background of human papillomovairus 16-positive tonsil squamous cell carcinoma presenting with tonic-clonic seizure and a radiological diagnosis of secondary metastatic deposits. These were initially treated with stereotactic radiosurgery and subsequently with surgery. Surgical resection was performed under general anesthesia with right-sided temporal and parietal approaches. Both the parietal and temporal deposits were removed, while the intraventricular mass was intentionally left to avoid postoperative deficits. Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy were administered postoperatively. The patient experienced a satisfactory recovery postoperatively and was reoperated for recurrence 4 months later. He maintained a good quality of life and an excellent performance status throughout, but unfortunately he passed away in November 2018 due to septic complications. This case history stresses the difficulty in managing squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) with brain metastatic deposits. There are no current guidelines about the management of patients presenting with such a rare condition. More data are thus desirable to better define treatment guidelines and protocols when SCC brain metastases are present.

Keywords

central nervous system metastasis - tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma - neurosurgery - oncology

Introduction

Head and neck cancers represent a substantial burden of cancer cases worldwide with over 350,000 deaths resulting every year.[1] A large proportion of head and neck cancers are oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) with studies suggesting a rising trend among populations. Tonsillar cancers represent 44% of all human papillomovairus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancers and can be identified as SCC (90%) arising primarily from the mucosal lining of the oral cavity, while a small number are classified as lymphomas.[2] [3]

The etiology is complex and is often associated with several risk factors including smoking and alcohol abuse.[4] HPV infection (specifically type 16) is the most dominant risk factor in patients who do not consume alcohol or tobacco, functioning through mutation of p53 and retinoblastoma tumor suppressor pathways.[5] [6] It appears to be largely responsible for the rising incidence of OPSCC.[7] The increasing prevalence of HPV-related oropharyngeal carcinoma has a more favorable prognosis than non-HPV associated oropharyngeal carcinoma, while smoking, specifically, accounts for a significantly worsened prognosis.[8] [9] [10] The increasing prevalence of oropharyngeal carcinomas may be linked to the increase of HPV cases among younger individuals.[2] [7]

Tonsils have a rich supply of lymphatic tissue, which provides an easy path for metastases to reach regional lymph nodes. Cancerous cells may spread locally to the surrounding tissue of the oropharynx including the base of the tongue, the soft palate, and the posterior wall of the throat. Alternatively, they can access the lymphatic system, which usually involves the cervical nodes. From here, they can access more distant regions.[11] However, distal metastases are rare.

The incidence of distal metastases varies extensively in literature ranging from 3 to 31%.[12] [13] This is influenced by various factors such as primary tumor location, histological differentiation, staging, and degree of loco regional control. The most common sites include the liver, lungs, bones, and mediastinal sites.[14] [15] Literature suggesting tonsillar metastases to the central nervous system (CNS) is scarce, indicative of the unusual incidence of this clinical presentation. It typically only occurs in 1 to 2% of cases and generally tends to appear in the later stages of the disease.[16]

We present a case showing multiple intracranial secondary lesions from tonsillar carcinoma alongside the relevant literature.

Case Description

A 51-year-old left-handed man with a background of HPV-16 positive tonsil squamous cell carcinoma was referred to our service after a tonic-clonic seizure and a radiological diagnosis of secondary brain deposits. His original disease presented in October 2013 and was treated in Singapore with a short course of Cisplatin and radiotherapy, completed by the end of the same year. From then, follow-up has been arranged locally until 2015. The patient subsequently relocated to the United Kingdom, and his care was taken over by a dedicated head and neck center.

In summer 2017, the patient presented radiological signs of recurring disease with diffuse metastases on lungs, liver, and pancreas. The liver and pancreatic deposits were biopsied and treated with a chemotherapeutic regimen of Cisplatin, 5-Fluorouracil, and Cetuximab in October 2017.

In November 2017, a computed tomography scan of the head was performed in the accident and emergency department following a tonic and clonic, and the patient was found to have three intra-axial secondary deposits on the right hemisphere—located in the temporal pole, temporo-parietal, and trigonal region, respectively. At this point, the patient was treated with three sessions of stereotactic radiotherapy (Cyberknife). In June 2018, the patient was started on a course of Capecitabine. This was paused in September 2018 during the few weeks surrounding his surgery, with irreversible electroporation (NanoKnife) for his pancreatic and liver deposits. He was subsequently also started on Nivolumab.

At the time of our assessment, the patient was found to be alert and orientated with a GCS of 15. The patient denied any pain or nausea, pupils were equal and reacting to light, and sensation and motor function was intact. There were no other significant medical problems except asymptomatic sinus bradycardia. Family history illustrated paternal celiac disease and late onset diabetes. Personal history was negative for smoking or alcohol intake.

An updated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the head with gadolinium injection revealed multifocal supratentorial intracranial deposits in the brain ([Fig. 1]). While almost exclusively present in the right parieto-temporal region in the supratentorial compartment, there were also deposits of metastatic tissue present in the peripheral right cerebellum, as well as in the inferior cerebellum adjacent to the tonsils. The largest metastatic deposit measured 3.3 cm in the right parieto-temporal region with surrounding edema and distortion of the midline structures to the left. A second large metastatic deposit was seen in the temporo-polar area. A third relatively voluminous deposit was located at the level of the right lateral ventricle's atrium. The patient was initially treated with linear accelerator (LINAC) stereotactic radiation and adjuvant chemotherapy in the form of Nivolumab.

Fig. 1 Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrating multifocal supratentorial intracranial deposits exclusively present in the right hemisphere in the supratentorial compartment.

A few weeks after stereotatic radiosurgery (SRS), the patient started to experience increasing unsteadiness and left sided mild hemiparesis. A repeat MRI of the head showed increased mass effect at the level of the right hemisphere, in the form of both peri-lesional edema and increased size of the three main metastatic deposits. The patient was then started on a course of steroids, and his case was rediscussed in our neuro-oncology multidisciplinary team (MDT). Palliative surgery was considered to be a viable option at this point to relieve the symptoms and avoid imminent deterioration considering the patient's young age and good performance status. Conservative treatment and a new course of SRS were also discussed. After having considered all treatment options, the patient and his family expressed their will to proceed with surgery, which was performed in May 2018.

The surgical plan was to remove both the parietal and temporal deposits, with attempt to remove the intraventricular one in the same session. The operation was performed under general anesthesia with right-sided temporal and parietal approaches. After Mayfield clamp fixation, a single trauma flap was performed under neuronavigation guidance, and then two mini-craniotomies centered on the lesions were obtained. Resection of both superficial deposits was performed under microscope magnification. The resection was complicated by prolonged hemostasis and bleeding tendency, despite the patient being in good clinical conditions, without known bleeding disorder and no anticoagulant or antiplatelets therapy.

However, removal of the intraventricular lesion was deemed too risky due to the proximity of the optic radiation physically surrounding the ventricular atrium and the lateral surface of the tumor, as well as the increased tendency to hemorrhage and technical difficulty associated with removal from this location. After hemostasis, the dura layer was stitched back, the bone flap was screwed back in place, and a subgaleal drain inserted before stitching the skin.

The patient awoke with no obvious neurological deficits and was transferred to the high dependency unit as a precaution postsurgery. Early (<24 hours) postoperative MRI scans showed complete resection of the parietal and temporal lesions with no obvious postoperative hematoma. Interestingly, the patient started to deteriorate neurologically during the afternoon of the first postoperative day. Gradual onset of severe headache was reported by the caring team. The headache was followed by rapidly progressive left side hemiparesis (grade 2.5) and a left facial droop.

A head CT ([Fig. 2]) was therefore repeated and demonstrated an anterior tumor cavity hematoma, with increased perilesional edema and mass effect. The hematoma was evacuated in emergency. The surgery was uneventful, and the patient subsequently regained strength in his limbs with resolution of the left-sided hemiparesis. No significant neurological symptoms were noted at discharge, and the patient was therefore retreated with gamma knife radiotherapy on both the surgical cavities and the remaining metastatic deposits.

Fig. 2 Computed tomography demonstrating intraparenchymal hematoma within the resection cavity in the right temporal lobe.

Precisely 4 months after the SRS treatment, the patient experienced a new clinical decline, with worsening headache, intermittent unexplained cough, left-sided homonymous hemianopia, and hyperacusis. Mild hemiparesis was also noted. An MRI of the head was requested, which showed a large tumor recurrence at the level of the previous parietal location. Extensive edema and midline shift were also present, with an overall worse mass effect and distortion of the midbrain. An interval increase in the size of the metastatic lesion within the right lateral ventricle trigone was also noted, as well as two new metastatic deposits that were present in the left frontal lobe. The left cerebellar metastasis had also increased in size. Life-saving surgery was performed the day, following the hospital admission in September 2018. Reopening of the previously performed parietal approach was performed, and the resection was performed as previously described.

The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and he reported marked improvement of his visual preoperative symptoms. Together with his usual medications, the patient was started on Capecitabine 1,500 mg oral twice daily 2 weeks after surgery. The case was rediscussed at the neuro-oncology MDT, and, considering the disease progression, palliative whole brain radiotherapy was considered and started after 1 month from the surgery. Unfortunately, due to intervening pneumonia, the patient passed away in November 2018, 1 year after the diagnosis of brain metastatic deposits and 5 years after the primary diagnosis.

Discussion

Tonsillar carcinomas are rare, only representing a small portion of all cancers.[17] [18] However, the incidence and consequently the prevalence is increasing worldwide. This seems to be due recent molecular and epidemiological evidence suggesting that the HPV plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of tonsillar SCC.[2] [16] [19] [20] [21] The rate of incidence of incidence increases after the 4th decade of life with men affected three to four times more often than women.[17] [18]

Tonsillar carcinoma distant metastasis (DM) is extremely uncommon (3–30% of cases).[12] [13] The incidence of DMs is influenced by the location of the primary tumor, size of the tumor, and the presence or absence of regional control above the clavicle.[14] Patients with advanced nodal disease and T staging are at a much higher risk of DM. Metastases to the cervical lymph nodes is an important prognostic factor in these patients as it has been linked to a decreased survival rate.[22] Metastasis to the lung is most common with SCC 66% of all DMs. Other sites include bone (22%), liver (10%), skin, mediastinum, and rarely the bone marrow.[14]

Distant metastasis of tonsillar carcinoma and other oropharyngeal cancers can occur either by perineural spread or by a hematogenous route.[23] Neumann in 1862 were the first to report neural metastasis of head and neck SCC,[24] Shattock in 1921 raised the possibility spread along cranial nerves.[25] However, it was not until 1927 two cases of SCC were reported that showed spread intracranially along the maxillary division of the cranial nerve V.[23] Prostate, breast, pancreas, and oesophageal carcinoma metastasis to the brain is known to occur via perineural spaces.[26] Spread of SCC along branches of the trigeminal nerve into the cranium has been reported by several previous investigators.[27] [28] [29] [30] Thus, tonsillar carcinoma metastasis to the brain may occur either by hematogenous spread or spread to other sites followed by perineural metastasis.

The CNS is a very rare site for DM of tonsillar carcinoma, with only a few cases reported in literature. A literature review summary is reported in [Table 1]. To the best of our knowledge, these are the cases reported so far. Given a history of head and neck SCC, the question of how intensely pre/postoperative screening should be performed remains. Ferlito et al[14] recommend preoperative chest X-ray in all cases, and if the primary tumor and nodal status indicated a high risk of pulmonary metastasis, then preoperative CT of the chest should be done.

Table 1 Literature review of reported cases of tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas metastasis to the brain

Study (Year)	Sex	Age at diagnosis (y)	Symptoms and signs	Radiological findings	Treatment	Prognosis from detection of intracranial disease
Dobelbower et al (2009)[16]	F	63	Vertigo and gait impairment	Met lesions in left frontal lobe + right parieto-occipital region on MRI	Surgery + radiotherapy	10 months
Ballantyne et al (1963)[23]	M	51	VI cranial nerve palsy	Clival deposit with left cavernous sinus involvement on MRI	Systemic therapy	4 months
Oh et al (2013)[5]	M	53	Headache, deafness, diplopia, nasal regurgitation, and hoarseness Bilateral Vllth, Vlllth, and Xllth cranial nerve palsies	Foci in prepontine cistern suggestive of subarachnoid metasteses	Radiotherapy	<4 months
Goodwin et al (2001)[15]	M	42	Sudden hearing loss on left side	Lesion at left base of skull invading through the jugular foramen toward the cerebellopontine angle Invasion of the lateral medulla and cerebellum	Radiotherapy	3 months
Shiboski et al (2005)[2]	M	61	Left sided weakness, headache and blurry vision	Calvarial and frontoparietal homogenous, cystic, contrast-enhancing mass with edema extending across the sagittal sinus	Stereotactic bifrontal craniotomy with intradural tumor resection + radiotherapy + chemotherapy	>7 months
Blot et al (1988)[4]	M	34	Backache, severe tenderness over lumbar region, and loss of ability to walk/stand	Wedge compression fracture of L4 vertebral body and altered marrow signal intensity with associated periosseous component at L3 and L4 level + multiple altered signal intensity in both cerebellar hemispheres and also similar deposits at right parietal, left temporal, parietal and occipital bony calvarium, and adjacent scalp resulting in bony destruction	Radiotherapy (whole brain and lumbar spine)	3-month survival following completion of treatment

Postoperatively, annual X-rays of the chest are usually sufficient but in higher risk patients a chest X-ray should be performed every 3 to 6 months. As seen in both the cases included above and our patient, presenting neurological symptoms are diverse. Due to the rapid progression and poor outcomes associated with intracranial spread, an argument can be made to screen patients for intracranial disease given a previous history of head and neck SCC.

The management of patients with primary oropharyngeal SCC remains controversial. Early stage oropharyngeal carcinomas treated with surgery or radiation alone are equally successful. In more late stage disease, a combination of surgery and postoperative radiotherapy provides a superior outcome compared with chemoradiation therapy.[31] Al-Khudari et al[32] described the case of an HPV-associated oligometastatic oropharyngeal SCC and concluded that these patients may be appropriate for definitive treatment approaches, given the excellent treatment response and prognosis of HPV-positive disease in general. The case presented by Banerjee et al[33] demonstrates the ability of rapid spread of tonsillar carcinoma.

Aggressive follow-up evaluation must be performed after completing treatment courses for such cases. Our case history stresses the difficulty in managing SCC with brain metastatic deposits. Current guidelines recommend using surgical excision along with chemotherapy such as fluorouracil with or without cetuximab for metastatic oropharyngeal carcinoma.[34] However, with limited data and treatment outcomes, there is no treatment guideline for patients with this rare presentation. In our case, the latter was chosen both by clinicians and the patient. With one exception,[33] the survival of our case was higher than the average reported in literature ([Table 1]). However, despite maintaining a good performance status, the prognosis was ultimately poor. More data are thus desirable to better define treatment guidelines and protocols when SCC brain metastases are present.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

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Publication History

Received: 10 June 2020

Accepted: 17 November 2020

Article published online:
14 June 2021