Head and neck carcinoma in Fanconi's anaemia--report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

Fanconi's anaemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome characterised by progressive lethal pancytopenia, skeletal abnormalities, hyperpigmentation and increased chromosomal aberrations. A high incidence of leukaemia and hepatocellular and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) have been reported in FA patients. A rare case of SCC of the dorsum of the tongue in a FA patient is presented. A review of the reported cases of head and neck carcinoma in FA patients shows a different male:female ratio than previously reported, and a high incidence of carcinoma of the tongue.