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Case Reports
. 2011 Jul;27(7):289-91.
doi: 10.1016/j.kjms.2010.08.005. Epub 2011 Apr 17.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma with pericardial metastasis

Shang-Wen Chen  1 , Chao-Hsun Chen, Chao-Jung Tsao, Wen-Tsung Huang, Shih-Sung Chuang
Affiliations
Case Reports

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma with pericardial metastasis

Shang-Wen Chen et al. Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2011 Jul.

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is prevalent in Taiwan and is characterized by a high frequency of nodal metastasis. The most common organs with distal metastases are the bones, lungs, and liver, with extremely rare cases to the pericardium. Herein, we report a rare case with NPC who presented with dyspnea and orthopnea. Serial studies, including pericardial biopsy, revealed NPC with pericardial metastasis and pericardial effusion. The tumor cells of both the original and metastatic tumors were positive for Epstein-Barr virus by in situ hybridization. This is the first histologically confirmed case of NPC with pericardial metastasis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A computed tomography scan of chest with contrast enhancement shows pericardial effusion with pericardial thickening.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Photomicrographs of (A and C) nasopharyngeal and (B and D) pericardial biopsies. (A) The nasopharyngeal biopsy shows cohesive sheet and islands of tumor cells with a rich lymphoid stroma. (C) The tumor cells are positive for Epstein–Barr virus by in situ hybridization (EBV‐ISH; arrows). (B) The pericardial biopsy shows similar cancer cell nests in a fibrotic stroma. (D) The tumor cells are also positive for EBV‐ISH (arrows).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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