Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx metastasising to rectum: first case report and literature review.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasopharynx is amongst the most common head and neck cancers. However, distant metastases are clinically underdiagnosed, as demonstrated by significantly higher metastatic rates in autopsy studies, compared to clinical studies. The incidence of metastases continues to rise with improvements in diagnostic imaging, locoregional control and survival. Metastases to the colorectum are extremely rare. This is the first case of nasopharyngeal SCC, metastasising to the rectum. A brief review of the literature is performed, with discussion on the screening, diagnosis and treatment of non-primary / metastatic tumours of the colorectum, from SCC and other primary tumours.