Cancer of the nasopharynx

Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is quite rare throughout Europe, accounting for an annual incidence rate below I per 100.000, whereas the highest risk area is South East Asia. A predominant occurrence in males is to be noted. NPC is an etiologically multifactorial disease, most probably involving viral, genetic and environmental factors. Carcinomas of the nasopharynx can be divided into two major histotypes: keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas (WHO-type 1) and non-keratinizing carcinomas (WHO-type 2). The histological type is a prognostic factor and it has a clear impact on the outcome of treatment. Standard therapeutic option for early stages of NPC is radiation, while an integration of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is indicated in more advanced stages. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.