[Adenoid cystic carcinoma (cylindroma) of the nasopharynx with extension into the cavernous sinus].

INTRODUCTION: The adenoid cystic carcinoma or cylindroma of the nasopharynx is a rare tumour characterised by its slow progression, high risk of local recurrence and prolonged survival, even in the locally advanced and/or metastatic forms. Treatment is pluridisciplinary.

OBSERVATION: In a 30 year-old man consulting for right retroauricular pain, hypoacousia and epistaxis, diagnosis of a nasopharyngeal cylindroma was made in 1994. Treatment consisted first line surgery combined with loco-regional radiotherapy. Twenty-six months after complete remission had been obtained, a loco-regional relapse was revealed, combined with pulmonary metastases. The treatment combining radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy led to the stabilisation of the disease.

COMMENTS: The adenoid cystic carcinoma of the nasopharynx a rare neoplasia of the head and neck, characterised by its slow progression over time, a high risk of relapse and the progression of metastases at distance. The corner stone of its therapeutic management is surgery. Radiotherapy improves the local control of the disease and chemotherapy is helpful in treating the metastatic disease.