Squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa metastasizing to bone marrow: a case report and review of the literature

Bone marrow metastasis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma is a very rare phenomenon. A 38-year-old male patient presented with carcinoma of the buccal mucosa postoperatively. The histopathological diagnosis was that of a moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Biochemical, fine-needle aspiration findings, and PET scan suggested distant spread. The bone marrow showed involvement by squamous cell carcinoma, which was confirmed immunohistochemically. Clinical, biochemical, hematological, and radiological findings are essential for detecting early bone marrow metastasis in head and neck cancer patients, especially squamous cell carcinoma, and timely detection of bone marrow infiltration prevents unwarranted radical surgery.