(Rev Méd Chile 2006; 134: 1576-82

No abstract

The case of a 12 years old boy with Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is presented. A cervical mass, partial atrophy of the tongue, palpebral ptosis, and paralysis of the vocal cord at the side of the mass, were the main clinical manifestations. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment followed by a reduction of the cervical mass. However the tumor recurred with cerebral metastasis and the patient died. The presence of a benign or malignant cervical mass may pose particular problems in diagnosis. In the malignant group the differentiation between a nasopharyngeal carcinoma and a linfoma is very important, considering the differences in treatment and prognosis.