Dermis means skin. So dermal metastasis simply means the cancer spread to the skin. When cancer cells from the primary location (in your case the oral mucosa) gain access to the blood stream, they can float to nearby sites such as the lymph nodes, skin, or other organs. Usually treatment for the primary cancer (chemotherapy or radiation) will help the dermal metastasis too. But one study of leukemia that has spread to the skin requires both treatment of the blood with chemo and treatment of the skin with radiation. I am unsure what type and stage of cancer your husband has, as well the nuances of his condition, so am unfortunately unable to comment on prognosis. I do believe Dr. Randy Weber in Head and Neck has a trial using Iressa for treatment of head and neck cancers.

Joy Kunishige, M.D.