Recurrent
syncope as a complication of recurrent
neck malignancy is an uncommon but well documented
association. The
syncope is presumed to occur when a
tumor mass invades the
baroreceptor within the
carotid sinus or when it disrupts the afferent
nerve fibers of the
glossopharyngeal nerve. A 59-year-old man presented with recurrent
syncope and
headache. He had a wide local excision including
tonsillectomy and modified left
radical neck dissection for tonsilar
cancer 4 years ago. A computed
tomography scan revealed ill-defined lesions in left parapharyngeal,
carotid space and right upper jugular region. After clinical evaluation, cardiac pacemaker was placed, but he still suffered from the
syncope. Then, he received the
chemotherapy with
docetaxel and
cisplatin. The last
hypotension event occurred on day 10 of the
chemotherapy. Six months after 3 cycles of
chemotherapy, he remained
in complete remission and resolution of
syncope. We
report a case in which
syncope was associated with a
recurrence of tonsilar
cancer and successfully treated with
chemotherapy.