Nasopharyngeal carcinoma overview
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 |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Faizan Sheraz, M.D. [2]
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.
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Nasopharyngeal carcinoma from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Common risk factors in the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma are Chinese (or Asian) ancestry, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) exposure and heavy alcohol intake.