Paraneoplastic changes of oropharyngeal mucosa in breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Paraneoplasias in the oral cavity are uncommon and have been rarely described so far. A woman with isolated papillomatosis and keratosis of oropharyngeal epithelia is reported.


METHODS
In a 43-year-old woman suffering from breast cancer, extensive changes of oropharyngeal epithelia were apparent 2.5 years after primary surgery and combined radiochemotherapy (RCT) as well as relapse therapy with RCT. At that time, radiologic investigations showed no locoregional or distant metastases. Nevertheless, after removal of the upper lip changes and skin resurfacing of the upper lip, progression of the oropharyngeal and labial changes was registered. Subsequent restaging showed advanced liver metastases. After treatment of the liver metastases, a regression of the extensive oropharyngeal changes became apparent.


CONCLUSIONS
The appearance of untypical changes of oropharyngeal epithelia is suspective of paraneoplasia. In order to diagnose tumor recurrence, a restaging should be performed.
Just
Tino
T
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Rostock, Südring 75, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
Bombor
Ingmar
I
Pau
Hans Wilhelm
HW
Klautke
Gunther
G
Fietkau
Rainer
R
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002610:Cheek; D018450:Disease Progression; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010212:Papilloma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology