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Nasolacrimal relapse of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2012

K J Sia ,
I P Tang ,
C K L Kong  and
T Y Tan
K J Sia*
Affiliation:
ORL Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I P Tang
Affiliation:
ORL Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
C K L Kong
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sibu Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia
T Y Tan
Affiliation:
Otorhinolaryngology Department, Sarawak General Hospital, Malaysia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Kian Joo Sia, 14A, Lorong 4A, Jalan Pipit, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia Fax: 6 082419495 E-mail: kj_sia@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Objectives:

To describe three rare cases of nasolacrimal relapse of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and to discuss the route of tumour spread from nasopharynx to lacrimal system as well as the relevant computed tomography findings.

Case report:

We report three cases of nasolacrimal relapse in patients with previously treated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The common initial presentations in these cases were epiphora and medial canthal swelling. The tumour spread from the nasopharynx to the lacrimal sac along the lateral nasal wall and nasolacrimal canal. Computed tomography demonstrated nasolacrimal canal invasion and osteomeatal complex obliteration by the tumour. Distant metastasis was detected in two cases.

Conclusion:

More targeted radiotherapy should be delivered to prevent under-treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Nasolacrimal relapse of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is an advanced disease with a poor prognosis.

Keywords

Nasopharyngeal CarcinomaComputed TomographyNasolacrimal DuctNeoplasm RecurrenceLocoregional
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 8 , August 2012 , pp. 847 - 850
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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