Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the nasopharynx: a case report]

Nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare tumor, few cases have been reported in the literature. The aim of this report is to present a new case of an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the nasopharynx. We report the case of a 50 years-old woman presenting with an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the nasopharynx with diffuse pulmonary metastasis. The treatment combined chemotherapy, based on cisplatin and adriamycin drugs, and palliative radiation therapy at the dose of 30 Gy. The patient died 6 months after diagnosis establishment. The best treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma is complete surgical resection but extended resection can be difficult in some locations as nasopharynx. The adjuvant radiation therapy seems to improve local control.