Cancer of the nasopharynx in children

Abstract

The authors present 15 children with cancer of the nasopharynx. Of seven patients with primary epidermoid carcinomas, only two are alive and well. Only one of four patients with a primary soft tissue sarcoma is alive and well. Two of four patients with lymphoma of the nasopharynx are alive and well. All deaths were due to uncontrolled distant metastases. Only one patient (rhabdomyosarcoma) died with uncontrolled local disease. Radiotherapy to the primary and neck is recommended for all children with primary malignancy of the nasopharynx. Adjuvant chemotherapy may also be of value for all patients regardless of histopathology.