Metastasis of untreated head and neck cancer to percutaneous gastrostomy tube exit sites

Metastatic cancer should be considered in patients with head and neck cancer that have persistent, unexplained skin changes at PEG site, anemia, or guaiac positive stools without a clear etiology. The direct implantation of tumor cells through instrumentation is the most likely explanation, although hematogenous and/or lymphatic seeding is also a possibility. Our review of the literature and clinical experience indicate that the “pull” technique of PEG placement may directly implant tumor cells at the gastrostomy site.