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Recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma presenting as diffuse dermal lymphatic infiltration in the neck: Three case reports
Author(s) -
Leong Swan S.,
Tan Eng H.,
KhooTan Hoon S.,
Yang Tuck L.,
Wee Joseph,
Tan Suat H.,
Poh Wee T.,
Tan Nam G.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0347(200102)23:2<160::aid-hed1011>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - medicine , nasopharyngeal carcinoma , malignancy , dysphagia , infiltration (hvac) , stridor , presentation (obstetrics) , subcutaneous tissue , carcinoma , pathology , radiology , radiation therapy , dermatology , surgery , airway , physics , thermodynamics
Background Any malignancy has the propensity to metastasize to skin. The frequency of skin metastases vary in different tumors and occur in about 0.7% to 10% 1–3 of all patients diagnosed with cancer. It is rare in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Method Three cases of relapsed nasopharyngeal carcinoma with diffuse dermal involvement were described. Their clinical presentation, results of investigations, and response to treatment were reviewed. Literature review of similar forms of presentation was done by means of a MEDLINE search. Results At the time of dermal relapse, all three patients had a uniform clinical picture of facial, periorbital, and lip swelling associated with stridor and dysphagia. Histologic findings showed dermal infiltrates of malignant cells, and CT scan showed diffuse infiltration of the subcutaneous tissue. Despite chemotherapy, the clinical course was relentless. Conclusion This report describes a presentation of disease that is underdiagnosed and heightens awareness of oncologists to this form of recurrence in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 160–165, 2001.