Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Circulating Tumor DNA , Head and Neck Neoplasms , Oropharyngeal Neoplasms , Papillomavirus Infections , Humans , Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck , Human Papillomavirus Viruses , Circulating Tumor DNA/genetics , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Papillomaviridae/genetics , Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/therapy , Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology , Papillomavirus Infections/complicationsABSTRACT
CASE PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old man presented to the ED with a 3-week history of worsening cough and shortness of breath. He had blood-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats, and a 2.7 kg weight loss within the same period. For the past few days, he had taken amoxicillin-clavulanate for presumed sinusitis. Despite this, his symptoms persisted, prompting him to seek further evaluation. His medical history was significant for ulcerative colitis and he had some bloody diarrhea for the past few weeks. Medications included aspirin, mesalamine, multivitamins, folic acid, and herbal supplements including gingko biloba, ginseng, and turmeric-ginger. He never smoked and drank alcohol occasionally. Family history was notable for stroke and myocardial infarction.