Abstract
Nine previously unreported cases of lymphoepithelioma of the nasopharynx are presented. Mean age at diagnosis was 13.6 yrs. (range 9-19 yrs). Seven patients were black and 5 were male. Symptoms were present from 6 wks.-4 mos. (X 2.7 mos.) prior to diagnosis and included painful adenopathy, carache or trismus in 7 patients. Only one had metastases beyond the cervical nodes (pulmonary) at diagnosis.
Treatment consisted of radiation to the nasopharynx (5290-7000 rad) and neck (4780-6500 rad). Chemotherapy regimens varied, but all included adriamycin and cyclophosphamide. The patient with pulmonary metastases also received lung irradiation.
Follow-up has ranged from 2-36 mos. (X 20.3 mos.). Two patients have died, 22 and 14 mos. post-diagnosis. The first developed local recurrence and distant metastases at 20 mos. The second, who presented with distant metastases, died of progressive pulmonary disease despite good local control. One patient had cervical and orbital metastases at 8 mos., received an additional 3000 rads, and is disease-free at 32 mos. Six patients remain disease-free from 2-36 mos. (X 19 mos.).
We conclude that: 1. Although a delayed diagnosis is common, the prognosis is favorable when disease is localized. 2. The primary treatment is radiation to the tumor and regional lymphatics bilaterally. The benefit of adjunct chemotherapy is in doubt.
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McWilliams, N., Hazra, T., Dunn, N. et al. 631 NASOPHARYNGEAL LYMPHOEPITHELIOMA. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 469 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00636
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00636