Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Nonendemic Populations

Squamous carcinoma arising in the nasopharynx is distinguished from that arising in other mucosal primary sites of the head and neck by many characteristics. These include a unique geographic distribution, etiological associations, histopathological classification, and natural history. Highly curable with radiation alone in early stages, prognosis for advanced-stage disease has been improved by the integration of chemotherapy with radiation. While it is rare in most parts of the world, it is among the most common malignancies in southern China, northern Africa, southeast Asia, and the Arctic. Herein we compare and contrast nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its management in endemic and nonendemic populations and review recent advances in treatment.