Connective tissue disease coincident with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: two sporadic cases in a Western population.
OBJECTIVE
To increase awareness of the potential coexistence of connective tissue disease and nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a Western population, to consider possible causes for this phenomenon, and to provide recommendations for clinical management.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Academic tertiary referral practice.


METHODS
Ninety-four patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were initially treated, and 20 were followed for 10 years. Of these, 2 were diagnosed as having coexistent connective tissue disease.


METHODS
The clinical course of coexisting diseases.


RESULTS
Most previous reports of the coexistence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and connective tissue disease involve southern Chinese populations. There are distinct similarities between those series and the cases presented herein. The association can take several forms with differing order of presentation and spectrum of symptoms. A variety of mechanisms have been proposed for the dual development of the 2 disease states.


CONCLUSIONS
Connective tissue disease and nasopharyngeal carcinoma may coexist in white patients in a manner similar to that seen in Asian populations. Awareness of this possibility is an indication for special screening measures.
Ferris
Robert Louis
RL
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Koch
Wayne Martin
WM
D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology