A comprehensive analysis of Babe Ruth's head and neck cancer.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This article discusses the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) of American baseball icon Babe Ruth, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of NPC. CASE DESCRIPTION NPC is a tumor originating from the epithelium of the nasopharynx. It is the leading form of cancer in certain well-defined populations in areas such as southern China, Southeast Asia, the Arctic, North Africa and the Middle East; it is relatively rare in the United States. Despite the fact that Babe Ruth's family was of German descent and NPC is not prevalent in Germany, reports regarding Ruth's autopsy demonstrate that his head and neck cancer was NPC. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Dentists play a pivotal role in the recognition of oral signs and symptoms and in the diagnosis of NPC, as well as the subsequent oral care of patients during and after treatment.