Abstract
The Plummer-Vinson syndrome is characterized by three main manifestations: iron deficiency anemia, glossitis and dysphagia. This syndrome has become relatively rare in recent years in Japan, because of the generally improved nutritional status of the subjects. The symptoms include difficulty in swallowing solid foods due to mucosal atrophy and web formation in the postcricoid region and cervical esophagus, and glossitis and angular stomatitis due to atrophy of the tongue and oral mucosa, in addition to symptoms of anemia, such as palpitation, shortness of breath and generalized fatigue. In addition, the syndrome is well known to be a high risk factor for postcricoid and cervical esophagus cancers, and a relationship with oral cancer has also been suggested. In the present report, we describe our experience of a case of Plummer-Vinson syndrome associated with tongue cancer.
