Surgery and postsurgical radiotherapy are the standard treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsillar region and they are based on specimen findings, such as margins, vascular embolization, perineural infiltration or metastatic lymph nodes. Apparently, radiotherapy has the potential to bear malignant neoplasms, although this fact is uncommon. A case of a 54-year-old Caucasian male with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsillar region treated by surgery and radiotherapy (50Gy) eleven years ago is described. After three years of follow-up, he suddenly presented sudden fainting and weakness. The laboratorial exam revealed higher rate of leucocytes and myelogram confirmed the diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia. The patient received Hydroxyurea and then Interferon. After eight years of follow-up, he showed no evidence of disease.
squamous cell carcinoma; leukemia; tonsillar region
