Syncope as the presenting symptom of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Syncope is a rare symptom of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a common tumor in Taiwan. We describe two patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who presented with frequent syncopal attacks five months before the diagnosis was made. We postulate that the mechanism of syncope is involvement of the glossopharyngeal or vagal nerve by para-pharyngeal extension of the tumor.