Two cases of upper gingival carcinoma with metastasis to the lateral retropharyngeal node (Rouvière node)

Although metastasis to the lateral retropharyngeal node (Rouviere node) is often found in nasopharyngeal cancer, it is rare in oral cancer. One 67-year-old man and one 69-year-old man with metastasis to this node from oral cancer are reported. Both patients had squamous cell carcinoma of the upper gingiva (case 1, T 3 N 2 b M 0 case 2, T 1 N 0 M 0). Metastasis to the Rouviere node was detected along with other cervical lymph node metastases by CT scan after preoperative radiotherapy (case 1) or radiotherapy and surgical excision of the primary lesion (case 2). Further radiotherapy to treat cervical lymph node metastases, including the Rouviere node, combined with CDDP or CBDCA was ineffective, and both patients died of metastases after about six months.