Development of cavernous haemangioma following radical chemo-radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
We report an adult case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with radical chemo-radiotherapy, with subsequent development of a histologically proved temporal cavernous haemangioma within the radiation field.


METHODS
Case report and review of the current literature concerning radiation-induced, secondary, space-occupying lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
The increasing role of radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment, together with improved patient survival, is likely to lead to radiation-induced, secondary, space-occupying lesions being encountered more frequently. We emphasise the need to be vigilant for this important but relatively rare complication, which has significant associated morbidity.
Ellenbogen
J R
JR
Department of Neurosurgery, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
Joshi
S M
SM
Kitchen
N
N
D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome