PAIN PRECEDING RECURRENT HEAD AND NECK-CANCER

Over a 7-year period, 12 patients experienced recurrence of primary he ad and neck cancers preceded by severe orofacial pain. Pain began with in 6 months following treatment in 10 of 12 patients and was progressi ve in 11 of 12 patients. Six patients died from recurrence, five withi n 2 years following onset of pain. No clear indication of malignant di sease was evident despite clinical examination, plain radiography, mag netic resonance imaging, and computed tomography. Pain was often mista ken for denture irritation. Frequently, no area of irritation was appa rent.