MALIGNANT TUMORS OF THE NASOPHARYNX WITH INVOLVEMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Abstract

The frequency and polymorphism of extranasopharyngeal symptoms seen in early cases of malignant disease of the nasopharynx does not seem to be widely appreciated. This applies particularly to the neurologic aspect. The absence, so far as I know, of any previous contribution covering this field and our experiences at the Mayo Clinic seem to justify a rather broad sketch of the neurologic phase of the subject. New¹has recently called attention to the relation of nasopharyngeal malignancy to other diagnoses, emphasizing the frequency of early extranasopharyngeal symptoms and the need of a wider understanding of the condition. His cooperation and skill enabled us to explain many unusual and difficult cases referred to the neurologic department for what often seemed to be disease primarily involving the nervous system. An early diagnosis is not always easy. Table 1 shows that of the twenty-five cases comprising this series, only one was correctly