Multiple brain metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case report and literatures review

Although direct intracranial invasion is common in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), multiple brain metastases from NPC is extremely rare. In this case, the clinical features, imaging, pathological findings, treatment outcomes, prognosis of an NPC patient with brain metastasis are described. Combining the clinical symptoms with auxiliary examination, the disease more likely to be originated from lung at first. Multiple biopsies confirmed that the primary lesions was nasopharynx finally. This is the first case of a patient with brain and lung metastasis from NPC that mimicked as a lung cancer. We also retrospectively reviewed the medical records of about 3200 patients with NPC treated in our hospital during 30 years and review relevant literatures from PUB-MED database. In summary, multiple brain metastases from NPC is extremely rare, and radiotherapy of brain lesions is an important auxiliary treatment besides the systematic therapy. The ultimate survival time depends on the effects from the chemotherapy and the control of extra-cranial disease.