A nasopharyngeal (upper throat) cancer section has been added to diagnosis and treatment by cancer type

Nasopharyngeal (upper throat) cancer develops from the surface of the upper throat behind the nasal cavity. Worldwide, 80,000 new nasopharyngeal cancers are diagnosed each year, and the disease causes 50,000 deaths annually, although there are significant regional and racial differences. Nasopharyngeal cancer is most common in Southern China, Southeast Asia, North Africa, and the polar region.

Undifferentiated, nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological subtype. Nasopharyngeal cancer is 2-3 times more common in men than in women. In high-risk populations, it occurs most frequently between ages 50-59, whereas in low-risk populations its incidence generally increases with age.

Geographical variation in nasopharyngeal cancer incidence suggests that the disease develops under the influence of many factors. In populations where it is common, many factors contribute to risk: Ebstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors such as smoking and foods containing additives to extend their shelf life. Furthermore, nasopharyngeal cancer in young adults suggests that exposure to certain common chemicals early in life may be a critical factor. In developed countries and developing countries such as ours, the most common causes of nasopharyngeal cancer, as with other head and neck cancers, are smoking and alcohol use.