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Review
. 2022 Feb;23(2):136.
doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.11059. Epub 2021 Dec 13.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A new synthesis of literature data (Review)

Daniela Jicman Stan  1   2 , Elena Niculet  3   4   5 , Mihaela Lungu  6   7 , Cristian Onisor  3 , Laura Rebegea  7 , Doinita Vesa  1   8 , Laura Bezman  3   9 , Florin Ciprian Bujoreanu  5   10 , Mihaela Ionela Sarbu  11 , Raul Mihailov  8 , Silvia Fotea  6   12 , Alin Laurentiu Tatu  5   6   9   13
Affiliations
Review

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A new synthesis of literature data (Review)

Daniela Jicman Stan et al. Exp Ther Med. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial tumor, which develops most frequently from the lateral pharyngeal recess and holds some complex epidemiological characteristics. Its unusual race and geographic distribution suggests that not only the environmental factors are a contributing factor to the development of this rare cancer type, but also the genetic traits play an important role, along with nitrosamine-containing food consumption and Epstein-Barr virus infection. The signs and symptoms which a patient can present and suffer from are various and include nasal, otic, neurological as well as general ones; the way this tumor manifests being dependent on the stage of the tumor. The therapeutic management applicable in NPC needs to be established according to the case of the patient and include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, immune therapy, targeted therapy or combined treatment. The main objective of the treatment is local and regional tumor control; relapse is an important factor for future development of distant metastases. New therapeutic concepts are always sought of, current research focusing on precision medicine, meaning systemic treatment with a personalized radiotherapy approach according to the characteristics of the tumor.

Keywords: Epstein Barr virus; chemotherapy; genetic modification; histopathology; nasopharyngeal carcinoma; radiotherapy; surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare they have no competing interests.

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