A case of metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma in benign nasal polyps

An unusual case of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma occurring within the stroma of benign nasal polyps is described. The patient was primarily treated with radiotherapy at first diagnosis. Two years later, he was diagnosed to have benign nasal polyps and had endoscopic sinus surgery. The recurrence was only diagnosed from histological examination of the polyps. The necessity for preoperative histological examination of any nasal polyp in patients with a past history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the importance of histological examination of all nasal polyps removed at surgery are emphasized.