Nasopharyngeal Cancer 

  • Author: Arnold C Paulino, MD; Chief Editor: Robert J Arceci, MD, PhD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 12, 2010
 

Background

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a rare tumor arising from the epithelium of the nasopharynx. It accounts for approximately 1% of all childhood malignancies. Whereas almost all adult nasopharyngeal cancers are carcinomas, only 35-50% of nasopharyngeal malignancies are carcinomas in children. In the pediatric population, additional nasopharyngeal malignancies include rhabdomyosarcomas or lymphomas.

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Pathophysiology

The detection of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen and viral DNA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma has revealed that EBV can infect epithelial cells and is associated with their malignant transformation.[1] EBV genome has been found in cells of preinvasive lesions, suggesting that it is directly related to the process of transformation.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Incidence varies according to geographic location. Incidence is approximately 1 in every 100,000 children annually among white children in North America and Europe.

International

The disease is far more common in children of Southeast Asian and Northern African descent, with an incidence of 8-25 in every 100,000 children annually.

Mortality/Morbidity

When radiotherapy is used alone, survival rates range from 40-50%. Use of combination radiation therapy and chemotherapy allows long-term survival rates of 55-80%.

Race

In the United States, the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is increased among black teenagers.[2] Children of Asian, Middle Eastern, and Northern African descent are also more commonly affected.

Sex

A male preponderance is observed. The male-to-female ratio is approximately 2:1.

Age

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma has a bimodal age distribution. A small peak is observed in late childhood, and a second peak occurs in people aged 50-60 years. Childhood nasopharyngeal carcinoma is usually a disease of adolescence.[3]

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Proceed to Clinical Presentation
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Arnold C Paulino, MD  Professor of Radiation Oncology, Methodist Hospital and Weill-Cornell Medical College; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine

Arnold C Paulino, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Radium Society, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Children's Oncology Group, International Society of Paediatric Oncology, and Radiological Society of North America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Chrystal U Louis, MD, MPH  Assistant Professor, Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Service, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Samuel Gross, MD  Professor Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina; Adjunct Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University

Samuel Gross, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Steven K Bergstrom, MD  Assistant to the Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center of Oakland

Steven K Bergstrom, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Oncology Group, and International Society for Experimental Hematology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Helen SL Chan, MBBS, FRCP(C), FAAP  Senior Scientist, Research Institute; Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada

Helen SL Chan, MBBS, FRCP(C), FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Hematology, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Robert J Arceci, MD, PhD  King Fahd Professor of Pediatric Oncology, Professor of Pediatrics, Oncology and the Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Robert J Arceci, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Pediatric Society, American Society of Hematology, and American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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MRI of the head and neck in patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma showing the primary tumor and cervical lymph node metastases
Intensity modulated radiotherapy images for patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
 
 
 
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