[A rare nasopharyngeal tumor: Hodgkin's disease]

Primary cases of Hodgkin's disease in the nasopharynx are extremely rare. The authors report on two such cases: A 27 year old male had a large tumour, lined with a smooth mucous membrane, in the nasopharynx. The results of examinations of the neck, thorax, and abdomen were normal. The tumour was removed through the palate. Histological findings confirmed the diagnosis of lymphocyte-prominent Hodgkin's disease (subtype paragranuloma). 11 years ago a nasopharynx tumour was removed by adenotomy from a 57 year old female. A diffuse hyperplasia of the lymphatic tissue was diagnosed at the time. Recently cervical lymph nodes appeared, and a second tumorous lesion was discovered in the nasopharynx. Histological examination of the tumour and cervical lymph node indicated lymphocyte-prominent Hodgkin's disease (subtype paragranuloma). On re-examining histological sections from the tumour removed 11 years ago, the authors again saw the types of change indicative of Hodgkin's disease. The probable course and outcome of lymphocyte-prominent Hodgkin's disease of the nasopharynx, especially of the paragranuloma subtype of the disease, are discussed. Treatment of both patients included adjuvant extended-field radiotherapy.