Advances in the clinical management of nasopharyngeal cancer

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most peculiar cancers with a distinctly skewed geographic and ethnic distribution. Epidemiological studies have unveiled its multifactorial etiology with a dynamic interplay of genetic predisposition, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection and environmental carcinogens. Radiotherapy has been the mainstay of curative treatment. The use of highly precise intensity-modulation radiotherapy technique has achieved excellent locoregional control and reduced treatment toxicities. Combination chemotherapy with cisplatin-based regimen further improves treatment outcome. The refinement of radiotherapy technique, search for more potent systemic agents, contemporary treatment strategies for recurrent or metastatic diseases, biomarkers for prognostification and prediction of treatment response are currently under intense study.