Intrathoracic Endotracheal Metastasis from Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A First Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Abstract

Intrathoracic endotracheal metastasis from a very distant site is extremely rare. We report the first case of such a disease in a 68-year-old man with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who presented with a cough and hemoptysis 34 months after finishing radiotherapy. Prior to tracheal metastasis, he developed a solitary metastasis in the lung and underwent chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. Computed tomography showed the presence of an enlarged lymph node in the para-aortic arch. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed an endotracheal tumor 1 cm above the carina. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed its nasopharyngeal origin. He was treated with conventional radiotherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy; complete tumor remission was achieved. He died of nonmalignant disease with no signs of tumor recurrence 2 years after treatment completion. Radiotherapy may be an appropriate management approach to achieve long-term tumor control for this disease.

• Authors: Heming Lu, Jiaxin Chen, Yanyan Xie, Jinjian Cheng, Yanrong Hao, Luxing Peng, Qiang Pang, Shan Deng, Junzhao Gu, Jian Qin, Zhiping Lu
• Journal: Case reports in oncology (Case Rep Oncol) Vol. 3 Issue 2 Pg. 160-164 (May 05 2010) ISSN: 1662-6575 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 20740190 (Publication Type: Case Reports)