Carcinoma of the nasopharynx is reported in young dizygotic male twins. Presenting symptoms were similar, and time of onset was almost simultaneous. They were both treated by telecobalt irradiation and are in full remission for over 2 years. Aspects of the peculiar racial distribution of this tumor are discussed. This appears to be the first report of a familial occurrence of this wellknown but rare tumor.
HE PECUIIAR RACIAL, DISTRIBUTION OF CAR-
T cinoma of the nasopharynx is well known.
Various reports indicate an unusually high incidence of this tumor among the Chinese, both in mainland Chinas and other areas.7A12 Evidence has been presented for a higher incidence in non-Caucasian populations. A large body of data from the U.S., gathered both in cancer treatment centers and tumor registries, provided evidence for this prevalence among Chinese, maintained both in immigrants and their American-born descendants"ssJ3 Views on the etiologic aspects of this tumor vary greatly. Some workers regard heredity as the determining factor, while others consider environmental factors to be the most important.
Familial cases, to OUI-knowledge, have not been reported. An impressive feature, in this family, was the almost simultaneous occurrence of symptoms from a tumor in the same location with an almost identical histology.
FAMILY 15ISTORY
T h e family immigraced to Israel from Morocco in 1956. T h e parents are both in good health. Consanguinity in the family was denied by the parents. T h e affected male twins were the youngest of 10 siblings: they are dizygotic twins. Their past history, as well as that of their eight sibs, is non-contributary.