A case series of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma among Indians, a low risk population, in Perak State, Malaysia

Med J Malaysia. 2012 Dec;67(6):641-3.

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is rare among people of Indian ethnicity. A short retrospective case review of clinical records of Indian patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a period of 5 years was conducted. Their slides were further subjected to EBV encoded RNA (EBER) - In- situ Hybridization (ISH). The histologic subtype was nonkeratinizing carcinoma in all 4 patients. All were Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) positive. We believe that the crucial factor responsible for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is genetics; either a genetic susceptibility among high risk groups or genetic resistance/immunity in low risk groups. Further genetic studies are required to look for somatic or inherited chromosomal mutations among the various risk populations.

MeSH terms

  • Herpesvirus 4, Human*
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Malaysia
  • RNA, Viral*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • RNA, Viral