title: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma with axillary node involvement as a component of failure following chemoradiotherapy.
abstract: We describe the treatment course and imaging correlations in a patient with a unique case of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma with axillary lymph node involvement as a component of failure following chemoradiotherapy. To our knowledge, this is the only such case reported in the literature. A preliminary diagnosis ofaxillary node involvement was based on both positron-emission tomography and computed tomography; these findings were subsequently confirmed by pathologic review following dissection of the node. This case represents a rare presentation of a recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma and illustrates the importance of a comprehensive physical examination and correlation with imaging modalities when following these patients over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Hospital, 1950 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5560, USA. christopher.lee@hci.utah.edu
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Cherie J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hayostek
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.forename: Peter B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Hathaway
authors.forename: Gordon A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D001365:Axilla; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010611:Pharyngectomy / Q000379:methods; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017211:Treatment Failure