Synchronous occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Hodgkin lymphoma.

ABSTRACT

Latent Epstein-Barr virus infection is associated with several lymphoid and epithelial malignancies. This is the first reported case of a patient presenting with synchronous nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Hodgkin lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus. A 17-year-old previously healthy African-American male presented with anterior mediastinal mass and a nasopharyngeal mass. Histology from biopsy of both lesions revealed evidence of Epstein-Barr virus. The patient successfully completed sequential therapies with chemo radiation with no evidence of active disease. Simultaneous occurrence of the two malignancies is undoubtedly a rare event, and their coexistence raises the question of a common etiologic factor.