Recurrent Syncope in a Cancer Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

A 59-year-old male with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the left preauricular region, treated with several chemotherapy regimens and radiation therapy, was admitted for recurrent syncopal episodes. He was found to be suffering from neurocardiogenic reflex-mediated syncope secondary to mechanical compression of the carotid baroreceptors and glossopharyngeal nerve by the tumor. We discuss the pathophysiology of this case and the available treatment options.

Head and Neck Cancers, Version 1.2015

“…16,17 In addition, the long-term effects, even with using IMRT, can still result in a substantial decrease in quality of life. 18–23 Few long-term studies of IMRT outcomes are available for longer than 2 to 5 years, but older studies quantify the long-term effects of conventional forms of radiation therapy (RT), either alone or in conjunction with concurrent chemoradiation. 21,24 For example, RTOG 95-01 included patients with oral cavity, oropharyngeal, laryngeal, or hypopharyngeal cancer; the rates of grade 3 to 5 toxicity were 24.9% for patients receiving chemoradiation versus 20.5% for RT alone after more than 9 years.…”