Nasopharyngeal malignancies in children

Nasopharyngeal malignancies are thought to be uncommon in children. A review of the literature reveals 166 documented cases of nasopharyngeal malignancy in childhood. This appears to be a deceptively small number due to a lack of specificity in the reporting of oral and pharyngeal neoplasms. This report adds six more cases, making a total of 172. Children with this disease are more likely to present with neurological signs and symptoms than adults. Neurological involvement carries a poor prognosis. Patients with nasopharyngeal malignancy are often misdiagnosed and subjected to needless surgical procedures. The fact that the early symptoms of nasopharyngeal malignancy are common in childhood from benign causes and the false security that a malignancy in this area is rare in childhood, undoubtedly contribute to the diagnostic delay.