Nasopharyngeal carcinoma overview: Difference between revisions
Created page with "{{CMG}} {{Nasopharyngeal carcinoma}} ==Overview== '''Nasopharyngeal carcinoma''' (NPC) is a cancer originating in the nasopharynx, the uppermost region of the [[phary..." |
|||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
'''Nasopharyngeal carcinoma''' (NPC) is a [[cancer]] originating in the [[nasopharynx]], the uppermost region of the [[pharynx]] or "throat", where the [[Nasal cavity|nasal passages]] and [[eustachian tube|auditory tubes]] join the remainder of the [[upper respiratory tract]]. NPC differs significantly from other [[head and neck cancer|cancers of the head and neck]] in its [[epidemiology|occurrence]], [[etiology|causes]], clinical behavior, and treatment. It is vastly more common in certain regions of East Asia and Africa than elsewhere, with [[virus|viral]], [[diet]]ary, and [[human genetics|genetic]] factors implicated in its causation. | '''Nasopharyngeal carcinoma''' (NPC) is a [[cancer]] originating in the [[nasopharynx]], the uppermost region of the [[pharynx]] or "throat", where the [[Nasal cavity|nasal passages]] and [[eustachian tube|auditory tubes]] join the remainder of the [[upper respiratory tract]]. NPC differs significantly from other [[head and neck cancer|cancers of the head and neck]] in its [[epidemiology|occurrence]], [[etiology|causes]], clinical behavior, and treatment. It is vastly more common in certain regions of East Asia and Africa than elsewhere, with [[virus|viral]], [[diet]]ary, and [[human genetics|genetic]] factors implicated in its causation. | ||
==Classification== | |||
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is classified as a malignant [[neoplasia|neoplasm]], or [[cancer]], arising from the [[mucosa]]l [[epithelium]] of the [[nasopharynx]], most often within the ''lateral nasopharyngeal recess'' or ''fossa of Rosenmüller''. There are three [[histopathology|microscopic]] subtypes of NPC: a well-differentiated ''[[keratin]]izing'' type, a moderately-differentiated ''nonkeratinizing'' type, and an ''undifferentiated'' type, which typically contains large numbers of non-cancerous [[lymphocytes]] (chronic inflammatory cells), thus giving rise to the name ''[[lymphoepithelioma]]''. The undifferentiated form is most common, and is most strongly associated with [[Epstein-Barr virus]] infection of the cancerous cells.<ref name="Weidner's">{{cite book |author=Richard Cote, Saul Suster, Lawrence Weiss, Noel Weidner (Editor) |title=Modern Surgical Pathology (2 Volume Set) |publisher=W B Saunders |location=London |year= |pages= |isbn=0-7216-7253-1 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> | |||
<gallery> | |||
Image:Lymphoepithelioma met to LN 4.jpg|Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma - low power | |||
Image:Lymphoepithelioma met to LN 1.jpg|Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma - med. power | |||
Image:Lymphoepithelioma met to LN 2.jpg|Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma - high power | |||
</gallery> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist|2}} | {{Reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 14:09, 18 January 2012
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
|
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma Microchapters |
|
Differentiating Nasopharyngeal carcinoma from other Diseases |
|---|
|
Diagnosis |
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma overview On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma overview |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Nasopharyngeal carcinoma overview |
Overview
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a cancer originating in the nasopharynx, the uppermost region of the pharynx or "throat", where the nasal passages and auditory tubes join the remainder of the upper respiratory tract. NPC differs significantly from other cancers of the head and neck in its occurrence, causes, clinical behavior, and treatment. It is vastly more common in certain regions of East Asia and Africa than elsewhere, with viral, dietary, and genetic factors implicated in its causation.
Classification
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is classified as a malignant neoplasm, or cancer, arising from the mucosal epithelium of the nasopharynx, most often within the lateral nasopharyngeal recess or fossa of Rosenmüller. There are three microscopic subtypes of NPC: a well-differentiated keratinizing type, a moderately-differentiated nonkeratinizing type, and an undifferentiated type, which typically contains large numbers of non-cancerous lymphocytes (chronic inflammatory cells), thus giving rise to the name lymphoepithelioma. The undifferentiated form is most common, and is most strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection of the cancerous cells.[1]
-
Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma - low power -
Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma - med. power -
Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma - high power
References
- ↑ Richard Cote, Saul Suster, Lawrence Weiss, Noel Weidner (Editor). Modern Surgical Pathology (2 Volume Set). London: W B Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-7253-1.