ABSTRACT
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) grow locally invasive and have a proclivity to metastasize to regional lymph nodes rather than to spread hematogenously. Distant metastases usually occur late during the course of the disease. If distant metastases are present in general no curative options are available. Thus, the presence of distant metastases influences prognosis and choice of treatment in patients with HNSCC.
