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Journal of Medical Case Reports
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Case report

Radiation-induced osteosarcoma of the skull base after radiation therapy in a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature

Authors: Yassine Echchikhi, Hasna Loughlimi, Asmae Touil, Tayeb Kebdani, Noureddine Benjaafar

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Radiation-induced osteosarcomas are a recognized complication of radiation therapy. Owing to the fact that it is rare, publications on radiation-induced osteosarcoma of the skull base are limited to a small series and some case reports.

Case presentation

We describe a rare case of a patient with a skull base radiation-induced osteosarcoma treated 11 years before with ionizing radiation for an undifferentiated carcinoma of the nasopharynx. The patient was treated with chemotherapy alone, but he died after the third cycle.

Conclusions

Radiation-induced osteosarcoma of the skull base after treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a very rare but very aggressive complication with a poor prognosis. Chemotherapy gives bad results, and regular follow-up of treated patients should be considered.
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Metadata
Title
Radiation-induced osteosarcoma of the skull base after radiation therapy in a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature
Authors
Yassine Echchikhi
Hasna Loughlimi
Asmae Touil
Tayeb Kebdani
Noureddine Benjaafar
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-016-1112-3

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