nasopharyngeal cancer
Meaning of nasopharyngeal cancer: Nasopharyngeal cancer arises in the upper throat behind the nose and is strongly linked to Epstein-Barr virus infection.
Definition of nasopharyngeal cancer
Nasopharyngeal cancer is cancer that forms in the tissue of the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat located behind the nose and above the soft palate. Most cases are squamous cell carcinomas, arising from the flat cells that line this region, though the disease can present at different levels of differentiation under the microscope.
Nasopharyngeal cancer is strongly associated with prior infection by Epstein-Barr virus, a common virus that also causes infectious mononucleosis, and this association is used both in understanding the disease and, in some cases, in monitoring for it. The cancer occurs far more frequently in certain parts of the world, particularly regions of southern China and Southeast Asia, than in others, a pattern that has prompted research into shared genetic and dietary factors alongside viral infection.
Because the nasopharynx is not easily seen without specialized equipment, diagnosis typically requires endoscopic examination along with imaging and biopsy.
Used in a sentence
Endoscopic examination and biopsy confirmed nasopharyngeal cancer in the patient with persistent nasal symptoms.
Good to know
Nasopharyngeal cancer's strong association with Epstein-Barr virus distinguishes it from most other head and neck cancers, which are more commonly linked to tobacco and alcohol use.
Word origin
Where “nasopharyngeal cancer” comes from
Naso- derives from Latin nasus, meaning nose; pharyngeal derives from Greek pharynx, meaning throat; cancer derives from Latin cancer, meaning crab.