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Nasopharyngeal malignancies in children
Author(s) -
Straka John A.,
Bluestone Charles D.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-197205000-00006
Subject(s) - malignancy , medicine , nasopharyngeal carcinoma , disease , pediatrics , signs and symptoms , dermatology , surgery , pathology , radiation therapy
Nasopharyngeal malignancies are thought to be uncommon in children. A review of the literature reveals 166 documented cases of nasopharyngeal malignancy in childhood. This appears to be a deceptively small number due to a lack of specificity in the reporting of oral and pharyngeal neoplasms. This report adds six more cases, making a total of 172. Children with this disease are more likely to present with neurological signs and symptoms than adults. Neurological involvement carries a poor prognosis. Patients with nasopharyngeal malignancy are often misdiagnosed and subjected to needless surgical procedures. The fact that the early symptoms of nasopharyngeal malignancy are common in childhood from benign causes and the false security that a malignancy in this area is rare in childhood, undoubtedly contribute to the diagnostic delay.