UNDIFFERENTIATED NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA PRESENTING AS A PAROTID MASS

Background. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma has a variety of presentations. H owever, in more than 50% of cases it may present with serous otitis or cervical metastases. Although the metastases usually occur in the nec k, the lymphatic network of the parotid may also serve as a site for t he metastatic deposits. We present a case in which the initial manifes tation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma of the lymphoepithelioma type was a parotid mass. Methods. Case study. Results. A patient who was initial ly seen with an isolated parotid mass was found to have an undifferent iated carcinoma of the lymphoepithelial type. Further evaluation ident ified an occult nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and the patient underwent ra diotherapy. Conclusions. A diagnosis of a malignant lymphoepithelial l esion of the parotid gland or undifferentiated carcinoma of the lympho epithelial type mandates a search for an occult primary nasopharyngeal tumor.